Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny.” – Carl Schurz, Address, Faneuil Hall, 

Joseph Cornell, "Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny."--Carl Schurz, Address, Faneuil Hall, Boston, April 18, 1859. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., ca. 1957-1958, mixed media: painted and stained wood, glass, shells, driftwood, and paper, assembled, glued, and nailed, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.71
Joseph Cornell, "Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny."--Carl Schurz, Address, Faneuil Hall, , ca. 1957-1958, mixed media: painted and stained wood, glass, shells, driftwood, and paper, assembled, glued, and nailed, 17 3812 783 12 in. (44.232.78.9 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.71

Artwork Details

Title
Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny.” – Carl Schurz, Address, Faneuil Hall, Boston, April 18, 1859. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Date
ca. 1957-1958
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
17 3812 783 12 in. (44.232.78.9 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums Description
mixed media: painted and stained wood, glass, shells, driftwood, and paper, assembled, glued, and nailed
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure male
  • Animal — sheep
  • Animal — goat
  • Landscape — celestial — star
  • Mythology — classical — Auriga
Object Number
1984.124.71

Works by this artist (731 items)

Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Rorschach drawing), 1969, drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.405
Untitled (Rorschach drawing)
Date1969
drawing
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, Flora, 1970, drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.371
Flora
Date1970
drawing
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, Envelope of "Jackie Lane Cinema", 1964, collage source materials, photographs and magazines, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 2002.58.40
Envelope of Jackie Lane Cinema”
Date1964
collage source materials, photographs and magazines
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Window-mat Modification of J.J. Henner painting), mid 1940s, collage on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 2002.58.38
Untitled (Window-mat Modification of J.J. Henner painting)
Datemid 1940s
collage on paperboard
Not on view

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