“Industry, self-denial, and temperance are the laws of prosperity for men and states; without them advance in the arts and in wealth means only corruption and decay through luxury and vice. With them progress in the arts and increasing wealth are the prime conditions of an advancing civilization which is sound enough to endure.” –William Graham Sumner on the conditions of prosperity and progress. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.

Joseph Gering, "Industry, self-denial, and temperance are the laws of prosperity for men and states; without them advance in the arts and in wealth means only corruption and decay through luxury and vice. With them progress in the arts and increasing wealth are the prime conditions of an advancing civilization which is sound enough to endure." --William Graham Sumner on the conditions of prosperity and progress. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1955, mixed media: oil, nails, and string on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.102
Copied Joseph Gering, "Industry, self-denial, and temperance are the laws of prosperity for men and states; without them advance in the arts and in wealth means only corruption and decay through luxury and vice. With them progress in the arts and increasing wealth are the prime conditions of an advancing civilization which is sound enough to endure." --William Graham Sumner on the conditions of prosperity and progress. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1955, mixed media: oil, nails, and string on wood, 14 9⁄16 x 11 1⁄16 in. (37.0 x 28.2 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.102

Artwork Details

Title
“Industry, self-denial, and temperance are the laws of prosperity for men and states; without them advance in the arts and in wealth means only corruption and decay through luxury and vice. With them progress in the arts and increasing wealth are the prime conditions of an advancing civilization which is sound enough to endure.” –William Graham Sumner on the conditions of prosperity and progress. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist
Date
1955
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
14 9⁄16 x 11 1⁄16 in. (37.0 x 28.2 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
mixed media: oil, nails, and string on wood
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
1984.124.102
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.102