“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 

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
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 , 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

Works by this artist (1 item)

Laura Gardin Fraser, Steady, 1930, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.25
Steady
Artist
Date1930
bronze
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Claire Falkenstein, City is Man, 1941-1952, linocut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.14, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
City is Man
Artist
Date1941-1952
linocut
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Untitled
Artist
Date1976
embossed paper
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Mandala, 1977, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.19, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Mandala
Artist
Date1977
lithograph
Not on view
Image Not Available
Les Quais de la Seine a Paris
Artist
Date1917
hand-colored etching on postcard
Not on view