“Providence has not created mankind entirely independent or entirely free. It is true that around every man a fatal circle is traced beyond which he cannot pass, but within the wide verge of that circle he is powerful and free; as it is with man, so with 

Feliks Topolski, "Providence has not created mankind entirely independent or entirely free. It is true that around every man a fatal circle is traced beyond which he cannot pass, but within the wide verge of that circle he is powerful and free; as it is with man, so with communities. The nations of our time cannot prevent the conditions of men from becoming equal; but it depends upon themselves whether the principle of equality is to lead them to servitude or freedom, to knowledge or barbarism, to prosperity or wretchedness."--Alexis de Tocqueville, 1835. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1952, conte crayon on paper mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.289
Copied Feliks Topolski, "Providence has not created mankind entirely independent or entirely free. It is true that around every man a fatal circle is traced beyond which he cannot pass, but within the wide verge of that circle he is powerful and free; as it is with man, so with , 1952, conte crayon on paper mounted on paperboard, sheet: 13 3⁄4 x 11 in. (35.0 x 27.8 cm) irregular, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.289

Artwork Details

Title
“Providence has not created mankind entirely independent or entirely free. It is true that around every man a fatal circle is traced beyond which he cannot pass, but within the wide verge of that circle he is powerful and free; as it is with man, so with communities. The nations of our time cannot prevent the conditions of men from becoming equal; but it depends upon themselves whether the principle of equality is to lead them to servitude or freedom, to knowledge or barbarism, to prosperity or wretchedness.” – Alexis de Tocqueville, 1835. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist
Date
1952
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 13 3⁄4 x 11 in. (35.0 x 27.8 cm) irregular
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
conte crayon on paper mounted on paperboard
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — de Tocqueville, Alexis — head
  • Figure — fragment — face
  • Occupation — writer
Object Number
1984.124.289
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.289