American Progress, (painting) | Smithsonian Institution

Object Details

Christie, Manson & Woods, International, Sale 7458 (May 28, 1992), lot 39.; American Heritage, Vol. IX, No. 3, April, 1958.; "Art of the West: Selected Works from the Autry Museum," Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 2018, pg. vi.; Image on file.; Christie, Manson & Woods, International, Sale 7458 (May 28, 1992), lot 39.; American Art, Vol. 14, no. 3 (Fall 2000).; "Art of the West: Selected Works from the Autry Museum," Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 2018, pg. vi.; (Lower right:) John Gast 1872 signed; The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.
Summary: A woman with long blond hair, dressed in classical style in a flowing white gown that is off one shoulder, floats westward through the air. She is the figure of "Progress" and on her forehead is a gold star, the "Star of Empire." In her proper right arm she holds a book, and telegraph wire is looped around her elbow. On the ground below her, three trains travel westward, along with a stagecoach, a covered wagon, farmers with cattle, men on horseback, and a pony express rider. On the left side of the painting, Indians and buffalo are retreating westward from Progress..

1872

Owner/Location: Autry Museum of the American West 4700 Western Heritage Way Los Angeles California 90027 Accession Number: 92.126.1

Title: Manifest Destiny, (painting); Westward Ho, (painting); Spirit of the Frontier, (painting)

Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums

Topic: Allegory--Other--Progress; Allegory--Other--Civilization; Allegory--Place--America; History--United States--Westward Expansion; Figure group; Ethnic; Animal--Buffalo; Travel--Land--Train; Travel--Land--Carriage; Travel--Land--Wagon; Landscape--United States