Genius of America
- Date
- c.1868
- Material
- Oil on canvas
- made in
- Paris, Île-de-France region, France, Europe
- Classification
- Paintings
- Collection
- Modern and Contemporary Art
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 207
- Dimensions
- 35 3/4 x 59 in. (90.8 x 149.9 cm)
framed: 50 3/4 x 74 in. (128.9 x 188 cm) - Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. E. P. Hilts in memory of Mr. and Mrs. M. Rumsey
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 55:1941
NOTES
This painting, created in the aftermath of the United States Civil War (1861-1865), depicts a symbolic procession intended to celebrate the glory of the nation. In the center, the lady Republic, in white, and the Roman goddess Minerva, robed in white and green, stand on a chariot drawn by lions. In front of the chariot are women who represent several states including New York, Illinois, and Virginia. To the left, European immigrants arrive in America, while at right, an African American in rags is lifted by a white soldier. A group of Native Americans watch the procession.
Adolphe Yvon was an official painter who taught in the French Academy in Paris, for approximately 20 years. His imagery reflects the racist views of his time on the emancipation of enslaved Africans and forced assimilation of Native Americans. The artist’s perspective contrasts with the realities that faced African Americans and Native Americans in 19th-century America.
Adolphe Yvon was an official painter who taught in the French Academy in Paris, for approximately 20 years. His imagery reflects the racist views of his time on the emancipation of enslaved Africans and forced assimilation of Native Americans. The artist’s perspective contrasts with the realities that faced African Americans and Native Americans in 19th-century America.
Provenance
c.1870 - 1887
Alexander Turney Stewart (1803-1876), New York, NY, USA, commissioned from the artist; Cornelia M. Stewart (1802-1886), New York, NY, USA, by inheritance [1]
1887/03/25 - still in 1890
Samuel A. Coale, Jr. (1836-1893), St. Louis, MO, purchased at auction of the A. T. Stewart Collection, American Art Association, New York, March 25, 1887, lot no. 216 [2]
- 1941
Mrs. E. P. (Queen Rumsey) Hilts (1885-1946), St. Louis, MO [3]
1941 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Mrs. E. P. Hilts [4]
Notes:
[1] Stewart was an Irishman who moved to New York in 1818 and established himself as a retail developer, opening a successful department store named A. T. Stewart and Company, whose mail-order business paved the way for other famous retailers' catalogue sales. At the time of his death, A. T. Stewart was one of the wealthiest men in America. A sale of the A. T. Stewart collection was held by the executors of his widow's estate in March, 1887. This painting is a smaller version of a monumental allegorical painting Stewart commissioned from the artist. Both paintings were auctioned off on March 25, 1887 ["Catalogue of the A. T. Stewart Collection of Paintings, Sculptures, and other Objects of Art." New York: American Art Association, March 23-31, 1887, lot nos. 215 and 216].
[2] St. Louis collector Samuel A. Coale purchased the painting at auction in 1887. An annotated version of the 1887 sales catalogue (see note [1]) includes the handwritten name "S. A. Coale" next to the entry for lot no. 215 (the monumental painting); this is crossed out, however, and "S.A. C." is handwritten next to the entry for this work, indicating that Coale purchased only the smaller version of the painting at auction [SLAM document files]. Coale exhibited the painting in the 1890 St. Louis Exposition and Music Hall Association Seventh Annual Exhibition ["The Exposition." St. Louis Globe Democrat (September 28,1890): 21.].
[3] Mrs. E. P. Hilts is Queen Rumsey Hilts, widow of stockbroker Edwin Philip Hilts (1881-1939) of St. Louis. Upon her gift of the painting to the Museum, she dedicated it to Mr. and Mrs. M. Rumsey, likely a dedication to her parents, Moses Rumsey (c.1838-1905) and Marion van Court ["Deaths." "New York Times." (December 13, 1946)].
The painting was included in an 1890 exhibition in St. Louis ["Catalogue of the art collection of the Saint Louis Exposition and Music Hall Association: Seventh Annual Exhibition." St. Louis, 1890, cat. 46]. Although there is no lender listed for this work, the catalogue introduction includes the name Moses Rumsey, who is thanked, among several others, for his "beautiful contributions" to the exhibit. It is quite possible that this painting was already in Mrs. E. P. Hilts' family's collection in 1890, and passed from her father, Moses Ramsey, to her.
[4] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, June 5, 1941.
Alexander Turney Stewart (1803-1876), New York, NY, USA, commissioned from the artist; Cornelia M. Stewart (1802-1886), New York, NY, USA, by inheritance [1]
1887/03/25 - still in 1890
Samuel A. Coale, Jr. (1836-1893), St. Louis, MO, purchased at auction of the A. T. Stewart Collection, American Art Association, New York, March 25, 1887, lot no. 216 [2]
- 1941
Mrs. E. P. (Queen Rumsey) Hilts (1885-1946), St. Louis, MO [3]
1941 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Mrs. E. P. Hilts [4]
Notes:
[1] Stewart was an Irishman who moved to New York in 1818 and established himself as a retail developer, opening a successful department store named A. T. Stewart and Company, whose mail-order business paved the way for other famous retailers' catalogue sales. At the time of his death, A. T. Stewart was one of the wealthiest men in America. A sale of the A. T. Stewart collection was held by the executors of his widow's estate in March, 1887. This painting is a smaller version of a monumental allegorical painting Stewart commissioned from the artist. Both paintings were auctioned off on March 25, 1887 ["Catalogue of the A. T. Stewart Collection of Paintings, Sculptures, and other Objects of Art." New York: American Art Association, March 23-31, 1887, lot nos. 215 and 216].
[2] St. Louis collector Samuel A. Coale purchased the painting at auction in 1887. An annotated version of the 1887 sales catalogue (see note [1]) includes the handwritten name "S. A. Coale" next to the entry for lot no. 215 (the monumental painting); this is crossed out, however, and "S.A. C." is handwritten next to the entry for this work, indicating that Coale purchased only the smaller version of the painting at auction [SLAM document files]. Coale exhibited the painting in the 1890 St. Louis Exposition and Music Hall Association Seventh Annual Exhibition ["The Exposition." St. Louis Globe Democrat (September 28,1890): 21.].
[3] Mrs. E. P. Hilts is Queen Rumsey Hilts, widow of stockbroker Edwin Philip Hilts (1881-1939) of St. Louis. Upon her gift of the painting to the Museum, she dedicated it to Mr. and Mrs. M. Rumsey, likely a dedication to her parents, Moses Rumsey (c.1838-1905) and Marion van Court ["Deaths." "New York Times." (December 13, 1946)].
The painting was included in an 1890 exhibition in St. Louis ["Catalogue of the art collection of the Saint Louis Exposition and Music Hall Association: Seventh Annual Exhibition." St. Louis, 1890, cat. 46]. Although there is no lender listed for this work, the catalogue introduction includes the name Moses Rumsey, who is thanked, among several others, for his "beautiful contributions" to the exhibit. It is quite possible that this painting was already in Mrs. E. P. Hilts' family's collection in 1890, and passed from her father, Moses Ramsey, to her.
[4] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, June 5, 1941.
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