Americana art refers to items that incorporate images associated with the heritage of the United States. These images Include US flags, log cabins and barns, the colors red, white and blue, the Statue of Liberty, Norman Rockwell, and the Old West.
Americana art incorporates elements that capture nostalgic feelings of the past. Rural farms, small towns, flags, and stars all invoke the romance of the past. Harvest time is a time-honored portrayal of Americana. Fields of sun-ripened wheat, corn or pumpkins remind the viewer of a simpler time.
Americana art includes many different time frames. From the time of the earliest settlements to the present day, all eras are considered part of this art and decorating genre.
Influences in Americana Art
This type of art was influenced by a growing sense of pride in the American people. Patriotism was abundant and artists wanted to depict the values of freedom, independence and optimism.
Norman Rockwell is considered the quintessential American artist. He produced over 4,000 original works, many which depict small-town life. Though his works were viewed by art critics as sentimental, many people enjoyed his depictions of life lived simply. His covers for the Saturday Evening Post were so well-regarded that they appeared 322 times over 47 years.
The collaboration of Nathaniel Currier and James Merritt Ives was a successful venture in Americana art. Between 1834-11907, the firm produced at least 7,500 lithographs. The prints featured scenes of every facet of American life, including hunting, fishing, historical events, and politics.
Categories and Images
Quilts are another category of Americana decorating and collecting. Used as bedding, throws, and wall hangings, quilts are versatile. Patriotic themes with flags and stars are incorporated into quilt designs, using the red, white and blue color scheme.
The US flag is used by many artists in a wide range of Americana art. As one of the most symbolic images of the nation, it is readily identified with American culture. The colors in the flag are given meaning from the flag depicted on the Great Seal. According to the U.S. General Services Administration website, red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.
Along with the flag motif, stars are another big influence in Americana decorating. Single stars, many times, oversized, are hung over doors, mantels, on the sides of houses or barns. These stars are made in a variety of materials, but wood and tin are used quite often.
Americana Art Museums
To get a good idea of what constitutes Americana art and décor, visit museums that specialize in this area. Americana art museums include the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover, Delaware. Sewell C. Biggs was avidly interested in collecting Americana. The Biggs offers changing exhibitions throughout the year relating to historical and contemporary art topics.
Another museum that has an extensive collection of Americana is the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont. Not only did the founder, Havemeyer acquire paintings, jewelry, etc., she purchased 18th and 19th century American buildings to house the exhibits. Included in the buildings is a one-room schoolhouse, a barn and the 220-foot steamboat Ticonderoga.
The Smithsonian Institute is the world’s largest museum and research complex. Located in Washington, D.C., the Institute has nineteen museums and galleries, including the American Art Museum, the African American History and Culture Museum and the American Indian Museum. Americana art reflects many facets of American life and spans many time periods.
Debbie Whittemore - I've been blogging for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) since 2006. SIBA is a trade association which represents over ...
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