250 Years of American History through the Arts

Explore how 19th century artists captured the people and events that shaped our fledging nation. From portraits of George Washington to images from the Civil War, artists played an integral role in not only documenting American history but also creating many of the nation’s enduring symbols.

The 18^th and 19^th centuries were a tumultuous time for early Americans. Throughout U.S. history there have been conflicts – both foreign and domestic – in which the U.S. military has served. Many of these conflicts, particularly those in the first century of the nation’s history, were depicted by artists. Our collection includes several such representations that can serve as a starting point to a discussion of various military actions in U.S. history.

With successive waves of immigration, Western Expansion, the Gold Rush, the Great Migration, and the rise of the railway system and public transit, Americans always seem to be on the move. Take a moment to explore how American artists have drawn on this history of movement and migration as you enjoy the permanent collection and loans from the Toledo Museum of Art.

As the U.S. approached its 200^th anniversary 50 years ago, American artists were challenged to look back on the history of the nation and examine their own feelings towards it. Between 1975 and 1976, the Lorillard Company commissioned 12 celebrated American artists to create prints responding to the question “What does independence mean to you?” One hundred and twenty-five copies of Lorillard’s Kent Bicentennial: Spirit of Independence would be created and donated to museums across the country. Some prints highlight important moments from American history, like the fight for suffrage, while others critiqued the commercialization of Bicentennial celebrations. You can see more of these prints on the Hunter’s website here.