Iwo Jima from the series History

David Levinthal, Iwo Jima from the series History, 2013, inkjet print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Donald Standford Rosenfeld, Jr., 2017.41.12, © 2013, David Levinthal
David Levinthal, Iwo Jima from the series History, 2013, inkjet print, 17 × 22 in. (43.2 × 55.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Donald Standford Rosenfeld, Jr., 2017.41.12, © 2013, David Levinthal

Artwork Details

Title
Iwo Jima from the series History
Artist
Date
2013
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
17 × 22 in. (43.2 × 55.9 cm)
Copyright
© 2013, David Levinthal
Credit Line
Gift of Donald Standford Rosenfeld, Jr.
Mediums Description
inkjet print
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — other — flag
  • Dress — uniform — military uniform
  • Occupation — military — soldier
  • History — United States — World War II
  • Figure group — male
Object Number
2017.41.12
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2017.41.12

Artwork Description

Levinthal's photograph restages an iconic moment captured by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal toward the end of World War II. The original Pulitzer Prize--winning image shows six American Marines from behind raising a flag on Mount Suribachi after taking control of the
Japanese territory during the battle of Iwo Jima. In Levinthal's version, six toy soldiers face the viewer and raise a tattered American flag. By reversing the vantage point, Levinthal reminds us that history is constantly changing as new perspectives inform what we think we know about the past.

Works by this artist (6 items)

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Pat Hickman, Lost in Translation, 1995, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 1997.20
Lost in Translation
Artist
Date1995
bronze
On view
Lillian Elliott, Pat Hickman, Leaf Basket, 1984, coconut palm sheath, hog casings, acrylic paint, and colored pencil, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Theodore Cohen in memory of his mother and her sisters: Rose Melmon Cohen, Blanche Melmon, Mary Melmon Greenberg and Fanny Melmon Liberman, 1998.122.11, © 1986, Patricia L. Hickman
Leaf Basket
Artist
Date1984
coconut palm sheath, hog casings, acrylic paint, and colored pencil
Not on view
Lillian Elliott, Pat Hickman, River Stone, 1989, reeds, waxed linen thread, hog casings, and colored ink, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld, 2002.8.3
River Stone
Artist
Date1989
reeds, waxed linen thread, hog casings, and colored ink
Not on view
Lillian Elliott, Pat Hickman, Nomad, 1983, reeds, waxed linen thread, hog casings, acrylic paint and india ink, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of an anonymous donor, 1984.79
Nomad
Artist
Date1983
reeds, waxed linen thread, hog casings, acrylic paint and india ink
Not on view

Exhibitions

Media - 2017.32.10 - SAAM-2017.32.10_1 - 133751
American Myth & Memory: David Levinthal Photographs 
June 7, 2019–October 14, 2019
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Populated with toy cowboys and cavalry, Barbie dolls and baseball players, David Levinthal’s photographs reference iconic images and events that shaped postwar American society.

More Artworks from the Collection

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Thomas Gentille, Untitled (brooch), n.d., plastic, silver, brass or bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Susan Beech Collection, 2024.50.28, Photo by John Wilson White
Untitled (brooch)
Artist
Daten.d.
plastic, silver, brass or bronze
Not on view
Suzan Rezac, Untitled (Brooch), 1983, shibuichi, copper, and bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Helen Williams Drutt English and H. Peter Stern in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 2007.47.23
Untitled (Brooch)
Artist
Date1983
shibuichi, copper, and bronze
Not on view
Juan Hamilton, Juan 11-17-84, 1984, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of KPMG Peat Marwick, 1993.54.5
Juan 11−17−84
Artist
Date1984
bronze
On view
Dan Dailey, Huntress, 1993, fabricated and patinated bronze and gold plated bronze and cut, polished, and blown glass and plate glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1994.77
Huntress
Artist
Date1993
fabricated and patinated bronze and gold plated bronze and cut, polished, and blown glass and plate glass
On view