Iwo Jima from the series History

David Levinthal, Iwo Jima from the series History, 2013, inkjet print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Donald Standford Rosenfeld, Jr., 2017.41.12, © 2013, David Levinthal
David Levinthal, Iwo Jima from the series History, 2013, inkjet print, 17 × 22 in. (43.2 × 55.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Donald Standford Rosenfeld, Jr., 2017.41.12, © 2013, David Levinthal

Artwork Details

Title
Iwo Jima from the series History
Artist
Date
2013
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
17 × 22 in. (43.2 × 55.9 cm)
Copyright
© 2013, David Levinthal
Credit Line
Gift of Donald Standford Rosenfeld, Jr.
Mediums Description
inkjet print
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — other — flag
  • Dress — uniform — military uniform
  • Occupation — military — soldier
  • History — United States — World War II
  • Figure group — male
Object Number
2017.41.12
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2017.41.12

Artwork Description

Levinthal's photograph restages an iconic moment captured by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal toward the end of World War II. The original Pulitzer Prize--winning image shows six American Marines from behind raising a flag on Mount Suribachi after taking control of the
Japanese territory during the battle of Iwo Jima. In Levinthal's version, six toy soldiers face the viewer and raise a tattered American flag. By reversing the vantage point, Levinthal reminds us that history is constantly changing as new perspectives inform what we think we know about the past.

Works by this artist (8 items)

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Helen Levitt, Girl with Dagger, ca. 1942, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Library of Congress, Miss Claire Lusby, Neshan G. Shamigian, the National Museum of History and Technology, and George D. Widener and Eleanor Widener Dixon, 1990.57, © 1981, Helen Levitt
Girl with Dagger
Artist
Dateca. 1942
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Helen Levitt, New York, 1976, 1976, ektaflex print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1983.49, © 1976, Helen Levitt
New York, 1976
Artist
Date1976
ektaflex print
Not on view
Helen Levitt, New York, ca. 1942, printed later, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1984.16.4, © 1981, Helen Levitt
New York
Artist
Dateca. 1942, printed later
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Helen Levitt, New York, 1972, dye transfer print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1984.16.5, © 1981, Helen Levitt
New York
Artist
Date1972
dye transfer print
Not on view

Exhibitions

Media - 2017.32.10 - SAAM-2017.32.10_1 - 133751
American Myth & Memory: David Levinthal Photographs 
June 7, 2019–October 14, 2019
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Populated with toy cowboys and cavalry, Barbie dolls and baseball players, David Levinthal’s photographs reference iconic images and events that shaped postwar American society.

More Artworks from the Collection

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Mark Matthews, Leopardus pardalis (Ocelot), 1998, hot glass and Graal technique, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist and family in honor of Francis M. Greenwell, 1999.21.11, © 1999, Mark Matthews
Leopardus pardalis (Ocelot)
Artist
Date1998
hot glass and Graal technique
On view
Mark Matthews, Neofelis nebulosa (Clouded Leopard), 1998, hot glass and Graal technique, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist and family in honor of Francis M. Greenwell, 1999.21.10, © 1999, Mark Matthews
Neofelis nebulosa (Clouded Leopard)
Artist
Date1998
hot glass and Graal technique
On view
Mark Matthews, Acinonyx jubatus (Cheetah), 1998, hot glass and Graal technique, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist and family in honor of Francis M. Greenwell, 1999.21.9, © 1999, Mark Matthews
Acinonyx jubatus (Cheetah)
Artist
Date1998
hot glass and Graal technique
On view
Mark Matthews, Panthera onca (Jaguar), 1998, hot glass and Graal technique, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist and family in honor of Francis M. Greenwell, 1999.21.7, © 1999, Mark Matthews
Panthera onca (Jaguar)
Artist
Date1998
hot glass and Graal technique
On view