The American Scene

J. Fred Woell, The American Scene, 1988, silver and Civil War bullet shell fragment of copper-clad steel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld, 1991.114, © 1989, J. Fred Woell
J. Fred Woell, The American Scene, 1988, silver and Civil War bullet shell fragment of copper-clad steel, 1 3⁄8 x 1 7⁄8 x 1⁄2 in. (4.1 x 4.7 x 1.3 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld, 1991.114, © 1989, J. Fred Woell

Artwork Details

Title
The American Scene
Artist
Date
1988
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
1 3⁄8 x 1 7⁄8 x 1⁄2 in. (4.1 x 4.7 x 1.3 cm.)
Copyright
© 1989, J. Fred Woell
Credit Line
Gift of Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld
Mediums
Mediums Description
silver and Civil War bullet shell fragment of copper-clad steel
Classifications
Subjects
  • Occupation — military — soldier
  • Figure group
  • Portrait male — Sanders, Colonel
Object Number
1991.114
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1991.114

Artwork Description

In The American Scene, Fred Woell plays on ideas of the sacred and the secular, contrasting a portrait of Colonel Sanders with a coin portrait of Abraham Lincoln and a fragment of a Civil War bullet. The phrase "Our Lady of the Highway Pray for Us" evokes the restlessness of the American people. Although the different parts of this work initially appear to be unconnected, Woell chose his icons carefully. After all, Lincoln is revered as a leader and healer of our nation and Kentucky was his birth state, long before "Colonel Sanders."

Works by this artist (6 items)

View all artworks
J. Fred Woell, Democracy Speaks, 2003, wood, brass, paper, nickel, and bullet shells, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of J. Fred Woell, 2017.29
Democracy Speaks
Artist
Date2003
wood, brass, paper, nickel, and bullet shells
Not on view
J. Fred Woell, First Class Fare, 1975, sterling silver, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Rose Mary Wadman in memory of Alton J. Wadman, 2006.25
First Class Fare
Artist
Date1975
sterling silver
Not on view
J. Fred Woell, November 22, 1963 12:30 p.m., 1967, copper, silver, brass, gold leaf, newsprint photo, walnut, velvet, and glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Rose Mary Wadman, 1991.57.1
November 22, 196312:30 p.m.
Artist
Date1967
copper, silver, brass, gold leaf, newsprint photo, walnut, velvet, and glass
Not on view
J. Fred Woell, The American Scene, 1988, silver and Civil War bullet shell fragment of copper-clad steel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld, 1991.114, © 1989, J. Fred Woell
The American Scene
Artist
Date1988
silver and Civil War bullet shell fragment of copper-clad steel
Not on view

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Barbara Walter, Two-Finger Carousel Ring Toy (The Brass Ring), 1979, lost-wax cast sterling silver and sheet-fabricated and soldered silver with copper, brass, steel, and pearl, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Libby Cooper, 1997.29, © 1979, Barbara Walter
Two-Finger Carousel Ring Toy (The Brass Ring)
Artist
Date1979
lost-wax cast sterling silver and sheet-fabricated and soldered silver with copper, brass, steel, and pearl
Not on view