“Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government…Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. 

Robert Schneeberg, "Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government...Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened."--George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1951, gouache, pencil, paper, and metallic paint on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.260
Robert Schneeberg, "Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government...Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. , 1951, gouache, pencil, paper, and metallic paint on paperboard, sheet: 20 1⁄8 x 17 1⁄4 in. (51.0 x 43.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.260

Artwork Details

Title
“Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government…Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.” – George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist
Date
1951
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 20 1⁄8 x 17 1⁄4 in. (51.0 x 43.7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
gouache, pencil, paper, and metallic paint on paperboard
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Washington, George — full length
  • Occupation — political — president
  • Literature — Washington — Farewell Address
  • Occupation — military — general
  • Animal — bird — eagle
Object Number
1984.124.260
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.260

Works by this artist (11 items)

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Grinding Stone Mountain, Kweilin
Artist
ink
Not on view
Thomas George, Night Blossom II, 1965, color woodcut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.23.2
Night Blossom II
Artist
Date1965
color woodcut on paper
Not on view
Thomas George, (Oslo Fjord) (from series, Norway), ca. 1972, woodcut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1974.3.4
(Oslo Fjord) (from series, Norway)
Artist
Dateca. 1972
woodcut on paper
Not on view
Thomas George, Norway Series #9 (Lofoten), 1966, brush and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1967.21
Norway Series #9 (Lofoten)
Artist
Date1966
brush and ink on paper
Not on view

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William H. Johnson, Study for War Voyage, ca. 1942-1943, gouache and pen and ink with pencil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.137
Study for War Voyage
Artist
Dateca. 1942-1943
gouache and pen and ink with pencil on paperboard
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Herbert Bayer, Waste Paper to Package, from the Early Series, 1942, gouache, pen and ink, crayon, paper, and pencil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.27
Waste Paper to Package, from the Early Series
Artist
Date1942
gouache, pen and ink, crayon, paper, and pencil on paperboard
Not on view
Ralph Rosenborg, Country Scene, 1937, watercolor, gouache, and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from General Services Administration, 1971.447.79
Country Scene
Artist
Date1937
watercolor, gouache, and ink on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Killed in Action, ca. 1942, gouache, pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.144
Killed in Action
Artist
Dateca. 1942
gouache, pen and ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view