“USS Constitution HMS Guerrierre” Artist Unknown
How about a little patriotic art for the 4th of July? Independence Day in America is a celebration, and should be a lot more than an appliance sale, a used car deal, or a special on a big screen TV. So before you fire up the barbecue and pop open a cold one, how about checking out some patriotic art…
Patriotic Art for the 4th of July
“The prayer at Valley Forge” Arnold Friberg, 1975
Sometimes it seems that being patriotic is looked down upon or is just for simpletons and military people. America is far from perfect, and in my opinion it is no longer the United States but the divided States of America. Having said that, celebrating our country, our history, and our independence, is a great thing as there never has been anything better.
“Marine Corps Memorial” (Also called the Iwo Jima Memorial, Felix de Weldon, based on the photo “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima” by Joe Rosenthal.
A lot of Patriotic Art is military oriented, but not all of it. Is there anything more Iconic than this statue? My step father was on the Island of Iwo Jima, and never did talk about it until very late in life. War left internal scars that surfaced 60 years later.
“Washington’s Crossing at McKonkey’s Ferry” Mort Kunster, oil
The above painting by Mort Künstler is said to be a more historically accurate work than the “Washington Crossing the Delaware” painting by Leutze, complete with the long flatboat ferry, guided by cable, cannons, horses and troops.
“Lincoln the Railsplitter” Norman Rockwell, Oil, 1965
While “Lincoln the Railsplitter is not an especially patriotic piece, Abraham Lincoln sure is. The interesting story of how this piece came to be can be found here. The painting was commissioned by a bank in my home town of Spokane, Washington, and from the sounds of it, Norman Rockwell was very enthusiastic about the project, saying not only was Lincoln the greatest president, but also “the greatest model that ever happened.”
The painting is approximately seven feet high, taller than Abraham Lincoln himself!
“Three Flags” Jasper Johns, 30 7/8″ x 45 1/2″ x 5″, Encaustic on Canvas, 1958
Three Flags by Jasper Johns is an encaustic piece (wax and pigment) on canvas. Three canvases are stacked on top of each other, creating a three-dimensional feel. This painting was bought by the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City in 1980 to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
This painting was not created for the sake of making patriotic art, but for the fact that the subject matter was that this was an irresistible all-American barn. It’s all right there with symbolism in tow.
Patriotic Art on Independence Day
Independence day means different things to different people. Hopefully it means a lot more to most people than a good sale at a big box store. Best wishes for you and America on the 4th of July. Maybe a little Patriotic art will make the day a little more complete for the art spirit in you.
“We the People”, Wayne Eagleboy, Acrylic and barbed wire on buffalo hide, 1971