By Childe Hassam (1859-1935), hung in the Oval Office requested by John F. Kennedy from Washington’s National Gallery, during the 1000 days of his short, but memorable administration.
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Avenue In The Rain
This entry was posted in art, Beauty, grace, History, inspiration, Politics, words, writing and tagged Childe Hassem Flag Paintings, John F. Kennedy 1917-1963, July 4th 2020, The National Gallery of Art. Bookmark the permalink.
Thank you, Susannah. I’ve never seen this – it is beautiful. God bless America on the momentous day! We certainly need God leading us.
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It’s a favorite of mine. Happy 4th.
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I can see where JFK would choose this. The impressionists of the early part of our American century valued the people over the age they were born into, which promised uber consumption.
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My post yesterday tanked, since, pure old fashioned patriotism, as I mentioned to Midget, appears passe’. We would much prefer tearing down statues and bashing each other then to proudly recall our history.
Be that as it may, I loved that he chose this. All Presidents get to choose what they want hanging in the Oval during their humble stay. Well, it should be humble, anyway. Obama had Lincoln. Wonder what our present commander-in-chief has behind the Resolute Desk which he has the privilege to sit behind.
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History is a matter of disposal in these times, it seems. Never mind that the past is prologue, as Shakespeare used to say.
45 has a Jackass movie poster hanging up in the Oval Office, of course.
And as far as tanking? I loved it, and so did the peeps who come to you for the goods that you ALWAYS deliver up with such a passionate flair.
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You’re so kind to say that. I am a patriotic fool, always have been. I can’t look at things happening presently in a linear manner. History is history, for better or worse, and we’re better people the more acquainted with it we become. I understand, sort of, the anger, just not how it’s being used to mar what came before us. Ken Burns said it much better…we can’t know where we’re going, if we don’t know where we’ve been.
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Just speaking the truth.
And you hit on something here, and all the time in fact, that bears repeating. Being patriotic doesn’t mean we fall in line with what’s going on. To question our direction, it’s a duty I do believe. There are a lot of people out there who are clueless as to this fact.
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And the big question is…how do we change that? No one seems to care. It’s bewildering.
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And now Kanye is running for President. Insert punchline here __________________.
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is that insane or what?
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It’s not good news if he follows through with this “threat” since he would take votes away from Biden. I would love to be more dubious about this last minute announcement, but after 2016, I no longer dismiss anything.
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I’ve never gotten over his wife now owning Jackie’s Cartier Tank Watch. Blasphemy, on a wrist.
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Ugh.
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Is nothing scared anymore???
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That ship sailed.
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I’ll say, never to be seen again. sigh
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PS love past is prologue. 🙂
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Me too
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Beautiful painting, Susannah. I too am patriotic and have been beside myself with the lack of leadership in Washington. I don’t think it is just Trump but a whole cast of characters in both parties who mean well for themselves and no one else. Happy Fourth. We will get past all this. 🇺🇸
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I believe that we will. I always remember John Quincy Adams, and if I’m repeating it more often than I should, I apologize. But when they asked him, when he went back into the House, the only President ever to do that where he served for 18 years, what party he belonged to, he said…I belong to no party. I represent the people. Imagine that selfless, humble, serving attitude today. It’s almost impossible.
Happy 4th to you John.
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He was a true patroit. I doubt you would find too many like him around today. If you would like to see my flag here is a link to my post today https://johnwhowell.com/2020/07/04/stream-of-consciousness-saturday-prompt-toss/
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Love this impressionist work! I’ve never seen it before. I admit to cringing at overly patriotic voices, because so many are really just using their “love of country” to bash and hate other people. I love America, too, but I don’t agree that we are superior to all the rest of the world. We have a lot of room for improvement, in fact.
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Frederick Childe Hassam painted 25 Flag portraits, all amazing. Avenue In The Rain was the one JFK choose because it was a gift from Hassam to the National Gallery, and all Presidents have the privilege of selecting what they’d like in the Oval while they’re in residence. Obama I remember, chose a portrait of Lincoln. That’s what I call a fringe benefit Eilene. That and Air Force One. 🙂 Happy 4th to you.
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Thanks for your reminder that being patriotic is not dependent on one’s party.
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You now have me humming, It’s My Party, by Lesley Gore. 🙂
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“…and I’ll cry if I want to.” Indeed, golden oldie.
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…and you would cry too, if it happened to you.
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This is a beautiful picture. I love how it creates the impression of rain and wet streets. Happy 4th!
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I know it. I’m thinking of investing in a poster. It just cheers you to gaze at it.
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Beautiful and tasteful. I’ll assume the current oval office is sporting old glory on a black velvet background in a gold frame.
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It’s probably a velvet, Elvis.
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Nothing is off the table at this point
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Yeah
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