Album Quilt (detail), 1848; American; cotton; 100 1/4 x 100 1/4 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Stratford Lee Morton 1:1973
Picturing Independence
June 12, 2026–January 24, 2027- Location
- Shoenberg Gallery 236
- Admission
- Free
Picturing Independence marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The exhibition features around 30 works in a wide range of media from the Museum’s collection that span 1770 to 2018.
The exhibition is arranged in two sections. The first, “Picturing Revolution,” presents depictions of the American Revolution and military service. The second, “Symbols of the New Nation,” juxtaposes how American artists developed and responded to national symbols, including the US flag, the bald eagle, and the Statues of Liberty. The exhibition will present a wide range of works, including silver by Paul Revere, paintings by Benjamin West and George Caleb Bingham, and prints by Jacob Lawrence, Marisol, Fritz Scholder, and Norman Akers.
Picturing Independence is curated by Amy Torbert, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Associate Curator of American Art.
Sponsored with generous support from Missouri Humanities.
Rembrandt Peale, American, 1778–1860; George Washington, c.1845; oil on canvas; framed: 48 5/8 x 41 5/8 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Bequest of Edith J. and C. C. Johnson Spink 30:2014
School and group visits
The Saint Louis Art Museum will offer early hours for school groups to visit Picturing Independence before the Museum opens to the public. For more information transportation assistance and other details for schools, visit the school group page.
The Museum can also accommodate other groups up to 75 people at one time. Larger groups will be asked to split into different rotations. All groups, whether self-guided or led by a volunteer educator, must contact the Museum at least four weeks in advance to arrange a group visit. Please note that ticketed exhibitions have limited capacity.
Please complete this form to schedule a school or other group visit to the Saint Louis Art Museum.