4th of July, All Day Long

Media - 1976.108.109 - SAAM-1976.108.109_1 - 4852
A. Brockie Stevenson, Fourth of July, 1971, acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Woodward Foundation, 1976.108.109
Amy Fox
Social Media and Digital Content Specialist
July 3, 2018

A. Brockie Stevenson, Fourth of July, 1971

It's Independence Day! Here's hoping you're at the beach, on your way to a parade, or gathered around a grill. Here are a few images to take you through the day that fuel our festive feelings or—we admit it—a little misty thinking about the American dream.

Nothing celebrates summer and the 4th of July quite like an American flag whirligig. Wheee!

Media - 1986.65.371 - SAAM-1986.65.371_1 - 10000
Unidentified (American), American Flag Whirligig, mid 20th century, painted iron and carved and painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.371

Unidentified (American), American Flag Whirligig, mid 20th century

Who else is waking up early to snag an amazing spot to watch the parade? (Or perhaps you are up early practicing your wave because you are in the parade?)

Media - 1983.63.1054 - SAAM-1983.63.1054_1 - 54617
Bill Owens, Fourth of July Parade (from book, Suburbia), 1972, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.1054, © 1972, Bill Owens

Bill Owens, Fourth of July Parade (from book, Suburbia), 1972

Warm up your voices, it's time to sing:

Media - 1967.59.616 - SAAM-1967.59.616_1 - 81335
William H. Johnson, Lift Up Thy Voice and Sing, ca. 1942-1944, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.616

William H. Johnson, Lift Up Thy Voice and Sing, ca. 1942-1944

Who is hungry? (Mustard? Ketchup? Onion? Relish? Cream cheese...?)

Media - 2000.79 - SAAM-2000.79_1 - 61036
Betty Spindler, Hot Dog, 2000, glazed clay, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Winfield Gallery, 2000.79

Betty Spindler, Hot Dog, 2000

Someone definitely brought an American flag cake—festooned with blueberries and strawberries—to the picnic, but we're just as happy with a big slice of watermelon.

Media - 1967.39.2 - SAAM-1967.39.2_1 - 2536
Raphaelle Peale, Melons and Morning Glories, 1813, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Paul Mellon, 1967.39.2

Raphaelle Peale, Melons and Morning Glories, 1813

Well, hello George!

Media - 1910.10.3 - SAAM-1910.10.3_1 - 73425
Horatio Greenough, George Washington, 1840, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Capitol, 1910.10.3

Horatio Greenough, George Washington, 1840

The Statue of Liberty is ready to celebrate. 

Media - 1997.124.72 - SAAM-1997.124.72_1 - 53669
Gregorio Marzan, Statue of Liberty, 1989, mixed media: plaster, fabric, glue, light bulb, Elmer's Glue caps, and wig, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.72

The sun is going down, and you know what that means: almost time for fireworks!

Media - 1979.107A-D - SAAM-1979.107_1 - 63220

Harry Bertoia, Sculpture Group Symbolizing World's Communication in the Atomic Age, 1959

Happy Fourth of July!

Media - 2002.23 - SAAM-2002.23_1 - 81981
Nam June Paik, Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, 1995, fifty-one channel video installation (including one closed-circuit television feed), custom electronics, neon lighting, steel and wood; color, sound, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 2002.23, © Nam June Paik Estate

 

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