Reason to Smile

It's Pursuit of Happiness Week!

From November 8 through 14, remember the words of the Declaration of Independence. People are all "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Walter Quirt interprets today's theme with his painting Happiness in Fast Tempo. His undulating forms suggest movement, while the bright colors, especially yellow, connote optimism. Ironically, he painted this work in 1940, when the nation had suffered a decade of depression and World War II had broken out in Europe. If Quirt could promote joy at that time, surely happiness is possible this week!

Pictured: Walter Quirt, 1902–1968, Happiness in Fast Tempo, 1940, oil, 30 1/4 x 40 1/4 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Walter Quirt Family.