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Christian Ruben's painting 'Christopher Columbus Discovers America' (completed in 1846) reflects the fascination with Columbus's voyages that permeated 19th-century European art and culture. This work highlights Ruben's admiration for Columbus as an emblem of exploration and modernity. Ruben began the painting in Munich in 1840 and continued working on it during his time in Rome. Upon completing the piece in Prague after six years, its exhibition garnered significant acclaim from art critics, leading to multiple reproductions and inspiring similar works. The painting's impact was international, even leading the Philadelphia City Council in the United States to commission a copy, signifying Columbus's symbolic importance across continents.