American Details

Aften Whitmore

American Details

           Much like Georgia O’Keeffe’s painting, “Cow’s Skull: Red, White and Blue,” the selected paintings are all about America. They are all from different time periods, but they all exemplify America and it’s strengths in different ways. Some are abstract, some naturalistic, however, they are all showing the pride of American history in one way or another. Georgia O’Keeffe exemplified America in a very abstract way, however, despite the “unclearness” of the painting, what is evident is the strength in the country it represents. Further than just these artworks being American, there is a strong emphasis on the details that make up a complex country. The details are the most important part of what comprise a whole America. Wether it be a cow’s skull, a slice of cake, a faceless woman, or just color, these are the things that make up our country. The following artists exemplify just this idea: 

"Cow's Skull: Red, White, and Blue" Georgia O'Keeffe, 1931

Metropolitan Museum of Art 

Oil on Canvas 

“Three Flags” Jasper Johns, 1958, AN 80.34

Whitney Museum of Art

Wax and pigment

http://collection.whitney.org/object/1060

It is no secret what country Johns is representing here. It is very evidently the American flag. Johns took the American flag and explored the detail of the flag itself because not many people pay attention to the detail. Typically it is seen as a whole and not individual pieces. In this piece he discovers the importance of the details, showing not only that America is strong, but America is complex. He said the American flag was “seen and looked at, not examined.” Which is exactly what he toys with in this piece. This ties in really well with Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Cow’s Skull” because she played with the detail of a skull to indicate the details of America. A skull is a detail of a larger concept. Both Johns and O’Keeffe display the importance of details that comprise a whole, the whole being America.

“President Elect” James Rosenquist, 1960-1961, AN 27741(?)

Centre Georges Pompidou

Oil on masonite

This painting is done almost as a collage, so there is a sense of abstraction to the piece, which ties in with Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Cow’s Skull” as well. There is a strong sense of red, white and blue in this painting along with very American symbols/icons. There is the subject of former president John F. Kennedy and a red chevy and cake. These are all objects of Americanism of the time, which would indicate again, there are details that are of importance in the complexity of American life. These are all things we would recognize as American by just looking at them with no context. But put them all together and there is no question this theme is very Americanized. 

“Barack Obama/Hope” Shepard Fairey, 2008 AN (?) 

National Portrait Gallery

Mixed media, stencil collage

This artwork is evidently an American poster. It is a portrait of President Barack Obama. This artwork was made within the last 8 years, so it is relatively new. However, I think this particular piece is a great addition to this collection because it has a heavy emphasis on the colors red, white and blue, which tie in really well with the theme Georgia O’Keeffe initiated. Someone unfamiliar with Barack Obama would have a better understanding that the piece is representing America is indicated by the red white and blue. 

“Christina’s World” Andrew Newell Wyeth, 1948, AN 16.1949

The Museum of Modern Art 

Tempera on panel

This one is kind of a stretch, but I think it does tie in really well with the fact that America struggles. Americans struggle and fight through communal and individual pain. This woman in particular, is battling polio and is depicted on the ground struggling. There is a very detailed landscape in the background showing the American soil. This is another detail that ties in with the addition to complex America. It does not outright show strength almost masculine power, but it shows the strength of a weakened woman who struggles daily. This artwork is one that looks visually very different from the former pieces, but it is the strongest argument for America’s strength. 

“Brooklyn Bridge” Joseph Stella, 1919-1920

Yale University Art Gallery

Painting - oil on canvas

This piece is an abstraction by Joseph Stella. It is a representation of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. This piece is a little off kilter from the rest of the chosen selections. Not only is it a detail of America in itself, it is strategically designed to show the detail of the bridge. This is another piece of architecture that makes America what it is. Bridges are iconic constructs, especially in big cities like New York City. They are easily recognizable, even through the abstraction and because it is a New York piece, it is very American. It is iconically a detail in the fabric of America, wether it automatically translates that way or not, to its core, it is a vital piece of the growth of our country.