The Things That Are Caesar’s

Claude Buck, The Things That Are Caesar's, 1943, oil on fiberboard and oil on wood of integral frame, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Claude Buck, 1983.46.8
Claude Buck, The Things That Are Caesar's, 1943, oil on fiberboard and oil on wood of integral frame, 30 7⁄8 x 49 in. (78.4 x 124.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Claude Buck, 1983.46.8

Artwork Details

Title
The Things That Are Caesar’s
Artist
Date
1943
Location
Dimensions
30 7⁄8 x 49 in. (78.4 x 124.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Claude Buck
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on fiberboard and oil on wood of integral frame
Classifications
Subjects
  • Still life — weapon — gun
  • Allegory — civic — war
  • Religion — Christianity
  • Still life — written matter — book
  • Object — other — money
Object Number
1983.46.8
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1983.46.8

Artwork Description

Claude Buck created many images inspired by literature, poetry, and the Bible. This painting is based on a quote from Matthew 22: When a group of spies asked Jesus whether it was lawful to pay taxes, he replied, "Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Here, Buck painted objects that evoke war, including a gun, artillery shell, helmet, and knife. He was disgusted by the events of World War II and painted this image to show that conflict and human cruelty are the responsibility of the "Caesars" of the modern world.

Works by this artist (3 items)

Albino Cavallito, Standing Nude, 1930-1931, terra cotta, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Julia A. Sullivan, 1971.444
Standing Nude
Artist
Date1930-1931
terra cotta
On view
Albino Cavallito, Portrait of the Artist's Wife, 1935-1936, limestone, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Julia A. Sullivan, 1969.159
Portrait of the Artist’s Wife
Artist
Date1935-1936
limestone
On view
Albino Cavallito, Anne Morin, 1935-1940, terra cotta mounted on wood base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Julia A. Sullivan, 1972.179
Anne Morin
Artist
Date1935-1940
terra cotta mounted on wood base
On view

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