Voting Booths ​“The end of the government is the good of mankind…and which is best for mankind, that the people should be always exposed to the boundless will of tyranny, or that the rulers should be sometimes liable to be opposed when they grow exorbitant in their power, and employ it for the destruction and not the preservation of the properties of the people?” – John Locke, 1632 – 1704. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.

Ben Shahn, Voting Booths "The end of the government is the good of mankind...and which is best for mankind, that the people should be always exposed to the boundless will of tyranny, or that the rulers should be sometimes liable to be opposed when they grow exorbitant in their power, and employ it for the destruction and not the preservation of the properties of the people?"--John Locke, 1632-1704. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1950, gouache on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.263
Copied Ben Shahn, Voting Booths "The end of the government is the good of mankind...and which is best for mankind, that the people should be always exposed to the boundless will of tyranny, or that the rulers should be sometimes liable to be opposed when they grow exorbitant in their power, and employ it for the destruction and not the preservation of the properties of the people?"--John Locke, 1632-1704. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1950, gouache on canvas, 15 7⁄8 x 12 in. (40.2 x 30.4 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.263

Artwork Details

Title
Voting Booths ​“The end of the government is the good of mankind…and which is best for mankind, that the people should be always exposed to the boundless will of tyranny, or that the rulers should be sometimes liable to be opposed when they grow exorbitant in their power, and employ it for the destruction and not the preservation of the properties of the people?” – John Locke, 1632 – 1704. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist
Date
1950
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
15 7⁄8 x 12 in. (40.2 x 30.4 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
gouache on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Ceremony — civic — election
  • Architecture Interior — civic — voting booth
Object Number
1984.124.263
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.263