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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
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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
- Keywords
- Occupation — military — soldier
- Dress — uniform — military uniform
- Figure group — male
- Object — other — flag
- Object Number
- 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.
Exhibitions
June 7, 2019–October 14, 2019
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.