“The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.” – Montesquieu, Spirit of the laws, 1748. From the series Great Ideas.

Media - 1984.124.183 - SAAM-1984.124.183_1 - 79766
Copied Lemuel B. Line, "The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy."--Montesquieu, Spirit of the laws, 1748. From the series Great Ideas., 1952, opaque watercolor on fiberboard, 24 x 24 in. (61.0 x 61.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.183

Artwork Details

Title
“The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.” – Montesquieu, Spirit of the laws, 1748. From the series Great Ideas.
Artist
Date
1952
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
24 x 24 in. (61.0 x 61.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
opaque watercolor on fiberboard
Classifications
Keywords
  • Figure male — bust
  • Architecture — classical
  • Literature — Montesquieu
  • Abstract
Object Number
1984.124.183
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.183