|
Column
 | | Just one of the posters on that will be on display at the Historical Society's new exhibit. Be Patriotic is a 1918 Halftone print by Paul C. Stahr (1883-1953). |
|
America The Beautiful: Women And The Flag
The Putnam County Historical Society & Foundry School Museum is proud to announce the opening of its exhibition American the Beautiful: Women and the Flag, which will run from March 16 through December 19, 2002. There will be a Champagne ribbon cutting reception on Saturday, March 23, at 7:00, for members, volunteers and special friends.
In the planning stages since last spring, this show celebrating American patriotism has special significance since the events of last September 11. Its theme also resonates in the Hudson Highlands because of the many expressions of patriotic spirit to be found here since the Revolutionary War.
Drawn from a private collection in the Hudson Highlands, the exhibition is comprised of over 90 prints, posters, postcards, sheet music covers, magazine and other illustrations, and advertisements. Most of the works date from the Civil War through World War II. The majority were created between 1900 and 1917/1918, the years of United States engagement in World War I. Several of the most important World War I poster illustrators are represented, including Howard Chandler Christy and James Montgomery Flagg.
Most of figures depicted are vibrant personifications of America. They may celebrate American heroes, values, or products. They may be fierce warriors leading troops into battle or exhorting home-front help for a war effort. Some of the figures are noble; still others are seductive. They may wave the flag or wear some inventive, exuberantly witty costume that is a transformation of the flag. The social and political references are many as are those pertaining to European precursors in painting and sculpture and to the history of costume.
A soft-cover catalogue containing several essays and illustrating more than 75 works in the exhibition in color will soon be available. Funding for the exhibition comes in part from the Town of Philipstown, from Putnam County, and from private donors. The Putnam County Visitors Bureau contributed to the funding of a brochure.
| 
