Seeing America — all works

Seeing America was created by Smarthistory with 22 leading museum collections and examines the long history of the United States, from before European settlers to the modern era.

Alice Aycock, <em>Low Building with Dirt Roof (For Mary)</em>
Alice Aycock, Low Building with Dirt Roof (For Mary)

A work of non-functional architecture, Aycock’s structure evokes personal memories and associations to the ancient past.

William F. Cogswell, <em>Queen Lili’uokalani</em>, and Maria Kealaulaokalani Lane Ena, ʻAhu ʻula (The Kalākaua Cape)
William F. Cogswell, Queen Lili’uokalani, and Maria Kealaulaokalani Lane Ena, ʻAhu ʻula (The Kalākaua Cape)

This royal portrait and cape convey the power of the Hawaiian monarchy and the tensions around the momentous historical events of 1898.

Jonas Lie, <em>The Conquerors (Culebra Cut, Panama Canal)</em>
Jonas Lie, The Conquerors (Culebra Cut, Panama Canal)

Lie portrays man’s dominance over nature in his painting of the construction of the Panama Canal.

The New York Obelisk, Cleopatra’s Needle
The New York Obelisk, Cleopatra’s Needle

Why is this ancient Egyptian obelisk in New York City?

Martin Puryear, <em>Lookout</em>
Martin Puryear, Lookout

Pierced with holes, this architectural sculpture offers both shelter from and exposure to the surrounding elements.

Kerry James Marshall, <em>Now And Forever</em>; Elizabeth Alexander, “American Song,” Washington National Cathedral
Kerry James Marshall, Now And Forever; Elizabeth Alexander, “American Song,” Washington National Cathedral

Kerry James Marshall and Elizabeth Alexander create words and images that fill the Washington National Cathedral with hope.

Armando García Menocal, <em>Campesino y soldado español (Peasant and Spanish soldier)</em>
Armando García Menocal, Campesino y soldado español (Peasant and Spanish soldier)

Following the Cuban War of Independence, Menocal seeks to create a distinct Cuban iconography.

Winslow Homer, <em>Searchlight on Harbor Entrance, Santiago de Cuba</em>
Winslow Homer, Searchlight on Harbor Entrance, Santiago de Cuba

A bright new technology and a devastating naval battle during Spanish American War.

Rashid Johnson, <em>Stacked Heads</em>
Rashid Johnson, Stacked Heads

From Johnson's hollow, scarred bronze sculpture, nature is bursting forth.

Francisco Oller, <em> Still Life with Plantains and Bananas</em> and <em>Still Life with Coconuts</em>
Francisco Oller, Still Life with Plantains and Bananas and Still Life with Coconuts

Oller inspires a sense of monumentality in his paintings of common fruits from Puerto Rico.

Rafael Tufiño, <em>La Plena</em>
Rafael Tufiño, La Plena

Originally made as a backdrop for the 1957 film La Plena, this mural celebrates the people and music of Puerto Rico.

Beatriz Cortez, <em>Ilopango, The Volcano That Left</em>
Beatriz Cortez, Ilopango, The Volcano That Left

The ancient volcano Ilopango is reimagined in this welded steel sculpture.

Explore the diverse history of the United States through its art. Seeing America is funded by the Terra Foundation for American Art and the Alice L. Walton Foundation.