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Exhibition History“Rediscovered Painters of Upstate New York,” New York Historical Society, NY, February 1, 1959 – February 28, 1959; Syracuse Museum of Fine Arts, Syracuse, NY, January 4, 1959 – January 25, 1959; Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, Utica, NY, November 30, 1958 – December 21, 1958; Albany Institute of History and Art, Albany, NY, October 30, 1958 – November 20, 1958; Rochester Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY, September 26, 1958 – October 21, 1958; New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown, NY, June 14, 1958 – September 15, 1958.
“Folk Art and American Modernism,” American Folk Art Museum, New York, NY, July 8, 2015 – October 1, 2015; Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY, September 18, 2014 – December 31, 2014.
"Enterprising Waters; New York's Erie Canal, New York State Museum, Albany, NY, September 16, 2017 - October 11, 2020.
Artist
Terrence J. Kennedy
Whig Political Banner
Date1836-1844
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsSight: 66 in. (167.6 cm)
Object numberN0537.1948
Credit LineCollection of the Fenimore Art Museum. Gift of Stephen C. Clark
Photograph by Richard Walker
Label TextThis large Whig campaign banner was probably carried in parades or at political gatherings during the 1840s. It carries a potent political message by juxtaposing a screaming eagle-symbol of an aggressive, vital America-and the tricolor shield of the Great Seal of the United States with images of commerce and industry. In this painting, the Erie Canal is of great importance: not only does it dominate the right side of the banner, but this picture was likely based on a scene painted to celebrate the opening of the Canal in 1825. The banner expresses the Whig belief that the development of coastal and internal transportation and the protection of home industries are vital interests to the growing Republic. Kennedy apprenticed as an ornamental coach painter and received training from a local artist in Troy, New York and was an active participant in the Civil War.Exhibition History“Rediscovered Painters of Upstate New York,” New York Historical Society, NY, February 1, 1959 – February 28, 1959; Syracuse Museum of Fine Arts, Syracuse, NY, January 4, 1959 – January 25, 1959; Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, Utica, NY, November 30, 1958 – December 21, 1958; Albany Institute of History and Art, Albany, NY, October 30, 1958 – November 20, 1958; Rochester Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY, September 26, 1958 – October 21, 1958; New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown, NY, June 14, 1958 – September 15, 1958.
“Folk Art and American Modernism,” American Folk Art Museum, New York, NY, July 8, 2015 – October 1, 2015; Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY, September 18, 2014 – December 31, 2014.
"Enterprising Waters; New York's Erie Canal, New York State Museum, Albany, NY, September 16, 2017 - October 11, 2020.
On View
On view
