A. Brockie Stevenson, Fourth of July, 1971, acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Woodward Foundation, 1976.108.109
A. Brockie Stevenson, Fourth of July, 1971
It's Independence Day! Here's hoping you're at the beach, on your way to a parade, or gathered around a grill. Here are a few images to take you through the day that fuel our festive feelings or—we admit it—a little misty thinking about the American dream.
Nothing celebrates summer and the 4th of July quite like an American flag whirligig. Wheee!
Unidentified (American), American Flag Whirligig, mid 20th century, painted iron and carved and painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.371
Unidentified (American), American Flag Whirligig, mid 20th century
Who else is waking up early to snag an amazing spot to watch the parade? (Or perhaps you are up early practicing your wave because you are in the parade?)
Bill Owens, Fourth of July Parade (from book, Suburbia), 1972, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.1054, © 1972, Bill Owens
Bill Owens, Fourth of July Parade (from book, Suburbia), 1972
Warm up your voices, it's time to sing:
William H. Johnson, Lift Up Thy Voice and Sing, ca. 1942-1944, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.616
William H. Johnson, Lift Up Thy Voice and Sing, ca. 1942-1944
Who is hungry? (Mustard? Ketchup? Onion? Relish? Cream cheese...?)
Betty Spindler, Hot Dog, 2000, glazed clay, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Winfield Gallery, 2000.79
Betty Spindler, Hot Dog, 2000
Someone definitely brought an American flag cake—festooned with blueberries and strawberries—to the picnic, but we're just as happy with a big slice of watermelon.
Raphaelle Peale, Melons and Morning Glories, 1813, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Paul Mellon, 1967.39.2
Raphaelle Peale, Melons and Morning Glories, 1813
Well, hello George!
Horatio Greenough, George Washington, 1840, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Capitol, 1910.10.3
Horatio Greenough, George Washington, 1840
The Statue of Liberty is ready to celebrate.
Gregorio Marzan, Statue of Liberty, 1989, mixed media: plaster, fabric, glue, light bulb, Elmer's Glue caps, and wig, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.72
The sun is going down, and you know what that means: almost time for fireworks!
Harry Bertoia, Sculpture Group Symbolizing World's Communication in the Atomic Age, 1959
Happy Fourth of July!
Nam June Paik, Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, 1995, fifty-one channel video installation (including one closed-circuit television feed), custom electronics, neon lighting, steel and wood; color, sound, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 2002.23, © Nam June Paik Estate
