“Every new opinion, at its starting, is precisely in a minority of one.” – Thomas Carlyle, Heroes and Hero Worship, II, 1840, lecture in London, May 8. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.

Herbert Bayer, "Every new opinion, at its starting, is precisely in a minority of one."--Thomas Carlyle, Heroes and Hero Worship, II, 1840, lecture in London, May 8. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1961, metal, overall (includes base): 14 7⁄8 x 13 1⁄2 x 12 1⁄2 in. (37.9 x 34.3 x 31.9 cm) overall: 12 1⁄2 x 12 3⁄4 x 13 1⁄2 in. (31.9 x 32.4 x 34.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.25

Artwork Details

Title
“Every new opinion, at its starting, is precisely in a minority of one.” – Thomas Carlyle, Heroes and Hero Worship, II, 1840, lecture in London, May 8. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist
Date
1961
Location
Dimensions
overall (includes base): 14 7⁄8 x 13 1⁄2 x 12 1⁄2 in. (37.9 x 34.3 x 31.9 cm) overall: 12 1⁄2 x 12 3⁄4 x 13 1⁄2 in. (31.9 x 32.4 x 34.3 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
metal
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
1984.124.25
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.25

Artwork Description

Herbert Bayer developed the advertising campaign “Great Ideas of Western Man” for the Container Corporation of America, where he was a design consultant for twenty years. This series of advertisements combined graphic images with insightful quotes, and featured work by artists Rudolf Hoflehner, Edgard Pillet, and Paul Rand. Thomas Carlyle’s idea is reflected in the composition of the piece. One rod in the center of the chaotic construction stands out from the others, representing the “minority of one” whose ideas change our lives.

Works by this artist (51 items)

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Awa Tsireh, Sparring Antelopes, ca. 1925-1930, watercolor, ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Corbin-Henderson Collection, gift of Alice H. Rossin, 1979.144.51
Sparring Antelopes
Artist
Dateca. 1925-1930
watercolor, ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view
Awa Tsireh, Skunks, ca. 1925-1930, watercolor and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Corbin-Henderson Collection, gift of Alice H. Rossin, 1979.144.49
Skunks
Artist
Dateca. 1925-1930
watercolor and ink on paper
Not on view
Awa Tsireh, Indian Boy and Burro, ca. 1917-1919, watercolor, ink wash, and brush and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Corbin-Henderson Collection, gift of Alice H. Rossin, 1979.144.4
Indian Boy and Burro
Artist
Dateca. 1917-1919
watercolor, ink wash, and brush and ink on paper
Not on view
Awa Tsireh, Hunting Priest and Mountain Sheep Dancers, ca. 1917-1920, watercolor and pencil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Corbin-Henderson Collection, gift of Alice H. Rossin, 1979.144.36
Hunting Priest and Mountain Sheep Dancers
Artist
Dateca. 1917-1920
watercolor and pencil on paperboard
Not on view

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Terry Schoonhoven, Study for Morning Room Murals, U. S. Court of Appeals, Pasadena, California, 1984, watercolor, pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1987.13.1
Study for Morning Room Murals, U. S. Court of Appeals,…
Artist
Date1984
watercolor, pen and ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view
Marian Cannon, Volunteer Motor Corp, 1935-1942, watercolor, gouache, pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1974.28.307
Volunteer Motor Corp
Artist
Date1935-1942
watercolor, gouache, pen and ink on paper
Not on view
Oqwa Pi, Hopi Snake Dancer, ca. 1920-1925, watercolor, ink, and pencil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Corbin-Henderson Collection, Gift of Alice H. Rossin, 1979.144.74
Hopi Snake Dancer
Artist
Dateca. 1920-1925
watercolor, ink, and pencil on paperboard
Not on view
Ralph Rosenborg, The Wind and the Sea, 1939, watercolor, ink and graphite on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1974.28.325
The Wind and the Sea
Artist
Date1939
watercolor, ink and graphite on paper
Not on view