“Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government…Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. 

Robert Schneeberg, "Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government...Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened."--George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1951, gouache, pencil, paper, and metallic paint on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.260
Robert Schneeberg, "Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government...Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. , 1951, gouache, pencil, paper, and metallic paint on paperboard, sheet: 20 1⁄8 x 17 1⁄4 in. (51.0 x 43.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.260

Artwork Details

Title
“Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government…Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.” – George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist
Date
1951
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 20 1⁄8 x 17 1⁄4 in. (51.0 x 43.7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
gouache, pencil, paper, and metallic paint on paperboard
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Washington, George — full length
  • Occupation — political — president
  • Literature — Washington — Farewell Address
  • Occupation — military — general
  • Animal — bird — eagle
Object Number
1984.124.260
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.260

Works by this artist (3 items)

Edward Weston, Pepper no. 30, 1930, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1985.56
Pepper no. 30
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gelatin silver print
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Edward Weston, Igor Stravinsky, ca. 1935, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum acquisition, 1977.74.14
Igor Stravinsky
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Dateca. 1935
gelatin silver print
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Image Not Available
Point Lobos
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Date1946
gelatin silver print
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