Gallery 26C

This collage was created from approximately 250 dollar bills meticulously arranged, folded, and sewn together to re-create a famous portrait by Rembrandt Peale of George Washington. Beldner’s labor-intensive technique consciously plays on the average viewer’s equation of the hours of labor with value in art. His use of the national motto—e pluribus unum (“out of many, one”)—for the title of the work makes witty reference to the creation of this portrait from many dollar-bill portraits.

This collage was created from approximately 250 dollar bills meticulously arranged, folded, and sewn together to re-create a famous portrait by Rembrandt Peale of George Washington. Beldner’s labor-intensive technique consciously plays on the average viewer’s equation of the hours of labor with value in art. His use of the national motto—e pluribus unum (“out of many, one”)—for the title of the work makes witty reference to the creation of this portrait from many dollar-bill portraits.

In 1854 Peale first delivered his lecture “Washington and His Portraits” at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The following year, he wrote, “[I] feel my Vocation is to multiply the Countenance of Washington.” Peale sought to become the foremost expert and delineator of Washington’s image, and he traveled to Boston in order to make a copy of the famous Stuart portrait. Peale’s lectures, which became incredibly popular, featured his own copies of Washington portraits by other artists.

In 1854 Peale first delivered his lecture “Washington and His Portraits” at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The following year, he wrote, “[I] feel my Vocation is to multiply the Countenance of Washington.” Peale sought to become the foremost expert and delineator of Washington’s image, and he traveled to Boston in order to make a copy of the famous Stuart portrait. Peale’s lectures, which became incredibly popular, featured his own copies of Washington portraits by other artists.

This painting of George Washington (1732–1799) on horseback was found in the small town of Bernardston, Massachusetts. Painted on four attached boards, this work may have been produced by a self-taught artist a few decades after Washington's death. The popularity of Washington's image in American folk art testifies to his place in the national imagination. Whether portrayed as a military leader on horseback or as a thoughtful chief executive, many Americans associate the life of our first President with the founding myths of our nation.

This painting of George Washington (1732–1799) on horseback was found in the small town of Bernardston, Massachusetts. Painted on four attached boards, this work may have been produced by a self-taught artist a few decades after Washington's death. The popularity of Washington's image in American folk art testifies to his place in the national imagination. Whether portrayed as a military leader on horseback or as a thoughtful chief executive, many Americans associate the life of our first President with the founding myths of our nation.

In this work by an unknown artist, Saint Matthew is shown seated on a rock, writing his gospel in the presence of an angel. Traditionally, each of the four Gospel writers is associated with a symbol: Saint Mark, a winged lion; Saint Luke, a winged ox; Saint John, an eagle; and Saint Matthew, an angel, which became his traditional symbol because the first story in his gospel describes how Saint Joseph saw an angel in a dream. In the New Testament of the Bible, Matthew 18:10 is also sometimes interpreted as evidence of guardian angels.

In this work by an unknown artist, Saint Matthew is shown seated on a rock, writing his gospel in the presence of an angel. Traditionally, each of the four Gospel writers is associated with a symbol: Saint Mark, a winged lion; Saint Luke, a winged ox; Saint John, an eagle; and Saint Matthew, an angel, which became his traditional symbol because the first story in his gospel describes how Saint Joseph saw an angel in a dream. In the New Testament of the Bible, Matthew 18:10 is also sometimes interpreted as evidence of guardian angels.