One of the most recognized paintings in American history, this painting is an ode to friendship and nature Asher B. Durand, Kindred Spirits by Dr. Mindy Besaw, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Dr. Steven Zucker
This vertical landscape of Virginia recalls ancient Roman architecture, tying the American republic to Rome's Frederic Church, The Natural Bridge, Virginia by Tyler Green and Dr. Beth Harris
Painted during Reconstruction, this sentimental watercolor depicts the hope of transformation and possibility Winslow Homer, Taking Sunflower to Teacher by Dr. Jeffrey Richmond-Moll and Dr. Beth Harris
Is this painting of five men, possibly formerly enslaved, working for the Union Army during the Civil War a product of racist stereotypes, or does it humanize its subjects? Winslow Homer, Army Teamsters by Dr. Christopher Oliver and Dr. Beth Harris
Home wrote that the sharpshooter's role was "as near to murder as anything I can think of." The U.S. Civil War, sharpshooters and Winslow ... by Dr. Kimberly Kutz Elliott and Sarah Alvarez
Cotton, oil, and the economics of history Samuel Colman, Jr., Ships Unloading, New York by Dr. Peter John Brownlee, Curator, Terra Foundation for American Art and Steven Zucker
In the wake of the Civil War, mending the United States, one stitch at a time. Lilly Martin Spencer, The Home of the ... by Taylor L. Poulin and Dr. Beth Harris
The dubious justice of the anti-immigrant Know-Nothings. Blythe, Justice by Emily Jennings, Director of School and Family Programs, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and Dr. Beth Harris
Martyr or murderer? John Brown has polarized political opinion from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. Thomas Hovenden, The Last Moments of John ... by Dr. Lauren Palmor, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and Dr. Steven Zucker
Before T.V. and Twitter, politicians talked to voters face-to-face. George Caleb Bingham, Country Politician by Emily Jennings, Director of School and Family Programs, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and Dr. Steven Zucker
Living in peace—predator and prey, and Native Americans and settler colonists—but for how long? Hicks’s The Peaceable Kingdom as Pennsylvania parable by Barbara Bassett, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Dr. Beth Harris
Is there a political message behind this image of two farmers settling the price of a horse? William Sidney Mount, Bargaining for a Horse by Farisa Khalid
Painted for a divided US, people from North and South could identify with this image—others remain marginalized. Richard Caton Woodville, War News from Mexico by Dr. Thomas Folland
This snowy image of a bygone Brooklyn is sprinkled with farm animals, townspeople... and casual racism. Francis Guy, Winter Scene in Brooklyn by Dr. Margaret C. Conrads and Dr. Beth Harris
The artist eliminated a key element of this innovative painting five years after he finished it. Winslow Homer, Northeaster by The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Suspended above the sea, the drama of this rescue scene comes from nature, not man. Winslow Homer, The Life Line by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
Homer’s fisherman just wants to bring his halibut safely to his ship—but as usual, nature is ruining everything. Winslow Homer, The Fog Warning (or Halibut ... by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
In order to capture the beauty of America’s national parks, Brown faced the prejudices of the lawless West. Grafton Tyler Brown, View of the Lower ... by Farisa Khalid
Men in suits cut open a leg while their teacher holds a bloody, gloveless hand aloft. Gross indeed. Thomas Eakins, The Gross Clinic and ... by Meg Floryan
Eakins’ serene river scene celebrates a personal friend as well as an interest in masculine athleticism. Thomas Eakins, The Champion Single Sculls (Max ... by Meg Floryan