Gallery 26C

E. pluribus unum (after Rembrandt Peale, George Washington)

E. pluribus unum (after Rembrandt Peale, George Washington) by Ray Beldner, after Rembrandt Peale

What determines the value of a work of art?

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.

E. pluribus unum (after Rembrandt Peale, George Washington)

E. pluribus unum (after Rembrandt Peale, George Washington) by Ray Beldner, after Rembrandt Peale

What determines the value of a work of art?

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.

George Washington

George Washington by Rembrandt Peale, after Gilbert Charles Stuart

What makes this image of George Washington iconic?

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.

George Washington

George Washington by Rembrandt Peale, after Gilbert Charles Stuart

What makes this image of George Washington iconic?

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.

George Washington on a White Charger

George Washington on a White Charger by Unidentified artist

What makes an American hero?

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.

George Washington on a White Charger

George Washington on a White Charger by Unidentified artist

What makes an American hero?

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.

St. Matthew and the Angel

St. Matthew and the Angel by Unidentified artist

What would you choose as your personal symbol?

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.

St. Matthew and the Angel

St. Matthew and the Angel by Unidentified artist

What would you choose as your personal symbol?

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.

A Window on History by George

A Window on History by George by William T. Wiley, William Allan, Robert Hudson

Have you ever created art with friends?

This ambitious collaborative work is a panoramic landscape that is equal parts representational and abstract. The painting is divided vertically and horizontally into map- or grid-like geometric sections that resemble the disjunctive crosscuts of cinema, collage, or cartoons. Given the collaborative nature of this work, it also recalls the Surrealist drawing game known as “the exquisite corpse,” in which artists take turns making marks on a single piece of paper.

A Window on History by George

A Window on History by George by William T. Wiley, William Allan, Robert Hudson

Have you ever created art with friends?

This ambitious collaborative work is a panoramic landscape that is equal parts representational and abstract. The painting is divided vertically and horizontally into map- or grid-like geometric sections that resemble the disjunctive crosscuts of cinema, collage, or cartoons. Given the collaborative nature of this work, it also recalls the Surrealist drawing game known as “the exquisite corpse,” in which artists take turns making marks on a single piece of paper.