The artwork, titled “American Progress,” was created by John Gast in 1872 in the United States. This symbolic painting was rendered in oil on a canvas measuring 29.2 by 40 centimeters.
“American Progress” is a vivid and compelling symbolic painting that illustrates the concept of Manifest Destiny, the 19th-century doctrine or belief that the expansion of the United States throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable. The central figure in the artwork is a personification of America, often referred to as Columbia, who floats elegantly across the landscape. Draped in a flowing white garment, she emanates an aura of enlightenment and progress. In her left hand, she holds a schoolbook, symbolizing education and knowledge, while her right hand extends telegraph wires, representing technological advancement.
The landscape beneath her transitions from a dark, untouched wilderness in the left, representing the past, to a more settled and developed right side, showcasing the future prospects and advancements. This dichotomy is further emphasized by the presence of pioneers, covered wagons, and stages of transportation evolution such as railroads and steamships. Native Americans and wildlife retreat into the shadows, signifying the displacement caused by westward expansion. The overall composition of the artwork captures the historical narrative of progress and the transformation of the American frontier.
