“The real democratic American idea is not that every man shall be on a level with every other, but that every one shall have liberty without hinderance, to be what God made him.” – Henry Ward Beecher on Liberty and Equality. From the series Great Ideas.

Paul Rand, "The real democratic American idea is not that every man shall be on a level with every other, but that every one shall have liberty without hinderance, to be what God made him."--Henry Ward Beecher on Liberty and Equality. From the series Great Ideas., 1958, cut paper, gouache, watercolor and crayon on paper mounted on paperboard with acetate overlay, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.240
Paul Rand, "The real democratic American idea is not that every man shall be on a level with every other, but that every one shall have liberty without hinderance, to be what God made him."--Henry Ward Beecher on Liberty and Equality. From the series Great Ideas., 1958, cut paper, gouache, watercolor and crayon on paper mounted on paperboard with acetate overlay, sheet: 18 x 13 1⁄2 in. (45.6 x 34.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.240

Artwork Details

Title
“The real democratic American idea is not that every man shall be on a level with every other, but that every one shall have liberty without hinderance, to be what God made him.” – Henry Ward Beecher on Liberty and Equality. From the series Great Ideas.
Artist
Date
1958
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 18 x 13 1⁄2 in. (45.6 x 34.3 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
cut paper, gouache, watercolor and crayon on paper mounted on paperboard with acetate overlay
Subjects
  • Dress — costume — Uncle Sam costume
  • Allegory — civic — liberty
  • Dress — accessory — hat
  • Still life — flower
Object Number
1984.124.240
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.240

Works by this artist (6 items)

View all artworks
Paul Rand, "When men can freely communicate their thoughts and their sufferings, real or imaginary, their passions spend themselves in air, like gunpowder scattered upon the surface; but pent up by terrors, they work unseen, burst forth in a moment, and destroy everything in their course."--Thomas Erskine, on the Advantages of Free Speech, Rex v. Paine, 1792. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1954, crayon, nail, and photomechanical reproduction on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.242
“When men can freely communicate their thoughts and their…
Artist
Date1954
crayon, nail, and photomechanical reproduction on wood
On view
Paul Rand, United States, from the United Nations Series, 1945, gouache on paper mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.244
United States, from the United Nations Series
Artist
Date1945
gouache on paper mounted on paperboard
Not on view
Paul Rand, "The real democratic American idea is not that every man shall be on a level with every other, but that every one shall have liberty without hinderance, to be what God made him."--Henry Ward Beecher on Liberty and Equality. From the series Great Ideas., 1958, cut paper, gouache, watercolor and crayon on paper mounted on paperboard with acetate overlay, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.240
“The real democratic American idea is not that every man…
Artist
Date1958
cut paper, gouache, watercolor and crayon on paper mounted on paperboard with acetate overlay
Not on view
Paul Rand, U. S., from the United Nations Series, 1945, gouache on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.243
U. S., from the United Nations Series
Artist
Date1945
gouache on paperboard
Not on view