"The Star-Spangled Banner" Lithograph - Currier & Ives, 1870.
he Star Spangled Banner and Lady Liberty crowned with an American crest bears the American flag as she points forward to victory. The defense of Fort McHenry by American forces during the British attack on September 13, 1814 (in the War of 1812) inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner.
The Star-Spangled Banner, a song written by Francis Scott Key in 1814, was a popular tune during the 19th century, especially at 4th of July celebrations. Though not recognized officially as the national anthem until 1931, Currier & Ives created two different allegorical portraits of freedom using the title of the song as their inspiration. Here, Lady Liberty wears a tiara with a shield bearing the stars and stripes and a veil decorated with stars. She carries the American flag (presumably a 36 star flag) as she strides forward toward liberty.
Several phrases from the song The Star Spangled Banner compliment the title printed in the lower margin: "O! long may it wave,/ O'er the land of the free,/ And the home of the brave."
The lithography firm of Currier & Ives was founded in 1834 by Nathaniel Currier as N. Currier, Lithographer, and based in New York. In 1852, he brought his brother-in-law, James Merritt Ives, into the business and renamed the firm Currier & Ives five years later. They were extremely prolific and highly successful, producing almost 7,500 different separately issued art prints through the 19th century until 1907, aptly advertising themselves as "Print-makers to the American People." Their prints were issued in small, medium and large folio, though some particularly popular images were issued in more than one size. Dozens of American artists in the mid 19th century painted primarily for lithographic reproduction by Currier & Ives and other firms. To please a broad audience, the firm presented a warmly positive vision of America, frequently sentimental, and sometimes with a touch of humor. Currier & Ives prints generally portrayed the American landscape, scenery and landmarks, including the westward expansion, as well as daily life in both urban and rural settings. Their sporting and maritime subjects were particularly popular. These prints are now highly desirable as a record of 19th Century American history, as fine works of American art, and for their decorative appeal. This lithograph likely dates from the 1870s, perhaps during our centennial celebrations.
Currier & Ives lithograph, "The Star Spangled Banner". South Bay Auction Lot # 277. Framed (outside dimensions 16 x 12.5).Mastai #121.
Exhibition History:
The American Flag, I and II.
Publication History:
Mastai, Boleslaw and Marie-Louise D'Otrange, The Stars and The Stripes: The American Flag as Art and as History from the Birth of the republic to the Present, Knopf, New York, 1973.
ZFC Significant Flag
Item is Framed
Sources:
"The Star-Spangled Banner", Wikipedia, 20 November 2011, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner
Currier and Ives, Wikipedia, 20 November 2011, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currier_%26_Ives
Newman, Robert K., December 2000, Brief History of N. Currier and Currier & Ives., The Old Print Shop, 5 October 2011, from:
http://www.oldprintshop.com/artists/currier-ives-history.htm
Currier & Ives, George Glazer Gallery, 20 November 2011, from: http://www.georgeglazer.com/prints/americana/americana.html?tab=2
Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
