This oil painting titled, "Washington at Dorchester Heights" was made in 1806 by Gilbert Stuart, an American painter from 1755-1828. George Washington, born in Westmoreland County, Virginia in 1732, is one of the most important men to the American Identity, especially politically. In his early years, Washington was very involved in the Virginia Militia where he showed great heroism and leadership and was later put in command of the militia. Washington first came into the political scene when he was elected into the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1758, and then, in 1774, he became a representative in the Continental Congress for Virginia. When the Revolutionary War commenced, Washington was chosen to be the Continental army’s commander in chief. Showing great leadership and military skills in the war, Washington gained much respect from America and was was elected as the first president of the United States in 1789. Being the first president, Washington established what the role entailed and worked tirelessly with foreign affairs. After two terms and a refusal of a third, Washington retired to his estate, Mount Vernon. George Washington is significant to the American Identity for he was a role model and hero in the eyes of Americans. Not only was he significant for being the first president, many people argue that he aided greatly in winning the Revolutionary War which was the beginning of America having its own identity. Washington, to this day, has a name that means a great deal to the history of America.
This oil painting titled, "Paul Revere" was made in 1768 by John Singleton Copley, an American painter from 1738-1815. This famous portrait of Paul Revere shows Revere holding a silver pot in his hand with engraving tools to his right for he was an accomplished silversmith and engraver in Massachusetts, by day, and a Patriot in the American Revolution by night. Revere is most well known for alerting the Colonial Militia of the approachment of the British forces before the Lexington and Concord battles when he rode on his horse yelling "The British are Coming!" which is known as the "Midnight Ride". He was also in charge of organizing the intelligence and alarm system to keep eye on the British forces and was a Massachusetts militia officer. Paul Revere is significant to American Identity for he was a Patriot of the American Revolution and he was responsible for not only saving the militias of Lexington but he also sparked patriotism in Boston. This can be seen through his famous art depiction of the Boston Massacre of 1770.
This silver bowl known as the "Sons of Liberty Bowl" was made in 1768 by the famous American silversmith, engraver, and patriot, Paul Revere who lived from 1734-1818. This bowl was made in honor of the Massachusetts legislature who neglected to overrule a letter protesting the Townshend Acts of 1767 which taxed tea, glass, paper, and other imported english goods. The bowl was commissioned by the 15 members of the Sons of Liberty whose names are engraved around the rim. This bowl is significant to the American Identity for it symbolizes political defiance.
This oil painting titled, "Boston's Exchange Coffee House Burning of 1818" was made in 1824 by John Ritto Penniman, an American painter from 1782-1841. The Exchange Coffee House which stood from 1809-1818 was a hotel, coffeehouse and place of business located on Congress Street in Boston designed by architect Asher Benjamin. At the time it was the largest building in Boston and one of the tallest buildings in the northeast standing at a whopping seven-stories. In November of 1818, the grand building burned to the ground for according to the officials, was due to the wood shavings packed in the walls. A large crowd gathered and watched as the magnificent new building burned to the ground. The fire was so large that you could apparently see it from New Hampshire.
This white-pine figure symbolizes liberty and was made somewhere between 1790-1800 for a courthouse where the figure of Liberty was often displayed. In her right hand is a Phrygian cap, which freed slaves wore and in her left, a laurel wreath which symbolizes victory. Freedom is one of the main foundation blocks of American Identity. It is what Americans strived for during the Revolution and fought for during the other wars. Statues such as the one above were put high in the sky on buildings to remind the citizens of how lucky they were to have freedom in such a great country. It also represents everything Americans have worked and fought for, freedom.
This oil painting titled, "Storm in the Mountains" was made in 1870 by Albert Bierstadt, an American painter (born in Germany) from 1830–1902. This painting is a breathtaking viewing from the Absaroka valley in the Absaroka Mountain range of a storm with the Grand Teton poking through the dark majestic clouds. This painting, along with many others, aided in the Western expanison for it showed Americans of the east how beautiful, intriguing, and different the west was. It symbolized opportunity, excitement, and freedom which can be seen by the small log cabin house being free in the valley. Paintings like this are key to American Identity.
This oil painting titled, "Valley of the Yosemite" was made in 1864 by Albert Bierstadt, an American painter (born in Germany) from 1830–1902 on his trip with his friend and author Fitz Hugh Ludlow. The two depicted the beautiful West through art (paintings and books) which all acted as propaganda for people to move west and see it for themselves. This painting, as Bierstadt called it "The Garden of Eden", showed the true beauty of California at the time. The paintings made the West look heavenly and tempted citizens of the East to move. The signified freedom and the start of a new American life which aided in developing a new face to American Identity. This image is from the Museum of Fine Arts' website.
This oil painting titled, "The Drummer Boy" was made in 1862 by William Morris Hunt, an American painter from 1824–1879. This painting shows a drummer boy (standing on stone slab with engravement "volunteers") beating the drum for volunteer soldiers for the Civil War which lasted from 1861 to 1865. With the secession of the South making themselves the confederate states. America was bound for war and both sides, North and South were preparing themselves. This painting, along with many others, would have served as propaganda for people to join the war to fight for what the believed in. The more recruits the faster the war would be over. This image belongs to the Museum of Fine Arts' website.
This oil painting titled, "Boys in a Pasture" was made in 1874 by Winslow Homer, an American painter from 1836–1910. The painting shows two boys relaxing in a presumably Western pasture. The blue skies, the beautiful and open pasture, and the overall free-spirited and calm nature of the painting showed the opportunities of the Western expansion and how great life is in the west, and not just for gold miners and fur traders. Paintings like this were significant for American Identity are significant to American Identity for it shows that families could live freely and happily in the West as well.
This oil painting titled, "Niagara Falls From Table Rock" was made in 1835 by Samuel Finley Breese Morse, an American painter from 1791-1872. The Niagara falls was one of the amazing natural wonders of America. Following the American Civil War (1861-1865), along with the help of the railroads, the Niagara falls was publicized as a destination for pleasure which made many eager and interested Americans travel to the waterfalls in New York. It showed Americans the beauty of there land and the freedom they had to travel to such places. It sparked numerous American artists to take their own approach in their pieces which often show the waterfalls having a Godly presence. The Niagara Falls is significant to American Identity because it represents the wonders of America and how it promoted tourism in America.