American Journeys critically investigates America's multifaceted histories and cultures. The United States is full of interesting and diverse people from cultures that lived here for a long time before the country was founded to individuals who arrived more recently from across the globe. Art can be a way to learn about people’s stories and discover the events and experiences that have shaped the nation. American Journeys presents an opportunity to explore the complex ideas of what it is to be American through artifacts that depict diverse experiences. The gallery discussions and hands-on activities provide student engagement with works of art and the stories of the artists who created them. They also encourage students to explore difficult truths and triumphs found in American history while identifying present-day connections to their own American journey. Historical topics within this tour may include events and experiences such as the relocation of Native Americans to reservations, racial tensions and segregation, Japanese internment camps, and more.
Sioux artist; Possible Bag, c.1890; tanned hide, glass beads, metal cones, and dyed horsehair; 13 1/2 × 22 1/2 × 4 1/2 in. (34.3 × 57.2 × 11.4 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, The Donald Danforth Jr. Collection, Gift of Mrs. Donald Danforth Jr. 164:2011
Ralph Earl, American, 1751–1801; Major Moses Seymour, 1789; oil on canvas; 48 1/4 in. x 36 in. (122.6 x 91.4 cm) framed: 49 7/8 x 38 in. (126.7 x 96.5 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Museum Purchase 34:1948
Henry Lewis, American (born England), 1819–1904; Saint Louis in 1846, 1846; oil on canvas; 32 1/4 × 42 1/4 in. (81.9 × 107.3 cm) framed: 41 3/4 × 51 3/4 × 3 1/4 in. (106 × 131.4 × 8.3 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Eliza McMillan Trust 170:1955
Edmonia Lewis, American, 1844–1907; Portrait of a Woman, 1873; marble; without base: 23 x 16 1/2 x 11 1/4 in. (58.4 x 41.9 x 28.6 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Museum Minority Artists Purchase Fund and partial gift of Thurlow E. Tibbs Jr. 1:1997
David Drake, American, c.1801–after 1870; Jar, June 6, 1857; alkaline-glazed stoneware; 17 × 15 3/8 × 15 3/8 in. (43.2 × 39.1 × 39.1 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Richard Brumbaugh Trust in memory of Richard Irving Brumbaugh and Grace Lischer Brumbaugh, Friends Fund, Marjorie Wyman Endowment Fund, The Lopata Endowment Fund, Mary Elizabeth Rosborough Decorative Arts Fund, and the Margarita M. and Roland E. Jester Endowment Fund for the Decorative Arts 326:2020
Yasuo Kuniyoshi, American (born Japan), 1889–1953; Morning, 1920; oil on canvas; 16 × 20 in. (40.6 × 50.8 cm) framed: 23 1/2 × 27 1/2 × 1 1/4 in. (59.7 × 69.9 × 3.2 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of John and Susan Horseman, in honor of Melissa Wolfe, Curator of American Art 102:2019; © [publication year] Estate of Yasuo Kuniyoshi / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY
Horace Pippin, American, 1888–1946; Sunday Morning Breakfast, 1943; oil on fabric; 16 × 20 in. (40.6 × 50.8 cm) framed: 21 9/16 × 25 9/16 × 2 1/4 in. (54.8 × 64.9 × 5.7 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Museum Funds, Friends Fund; and Bequest of Marie Setz Hertslet, Museum Purchase, Eliza McMillan Trust, and Gift of Mrs. Carll Tucker, by exchange 164:2015
Walter Pach, American, 1883–1958; The Subway, 1919; oil on canvas; 26 × 31 in. (66 × 78.7 cm) framed: 34 1/4 × 39 7/16 × 2 1/16 in. (87 × 100.2 × 5.2 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of John and Susan Horseman, in honor of Melissa Wolfe, Curator of American Art 106:2019
Norman Lewis, American, 1909–1979; Twilight Sounds, 1947; oil on canvas; 23 1/2 x 28 in. (59.7 x 71.1 cm) framed: 30 15/16 x 35 5/8 x 2 3/4 in. (78.6 x 90.5 x 7 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Funds given by Mr. and Mrs. John Peters MacCarthy, the Linda and Harvey Saligman Endowed Acquisition Fund, Billy E. Hodges, and the Art Enrichment Fund 88:2007; © The Estate of Norman W. Lewis; Courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery LLC, New York, NY
Oliver Lee Jackson, American, born 1935; Painting (5.12.11), 2011; oil-based pigment, acrylic, and silver and gold spray enamel on gessoed linen; 108 × 108 in. (274.3 × 274.3 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Friends Fund 12:2022; © Oliver Lee Jackson
Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds, Cheyenne and Arapaho Nations, born 1954; Neuf Series, 1995; acrylic on canvas; 80 x 107 in. (203.2 x 271.8 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Museum Minority Artists Purchase Fund 13:1996; © Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds
Quapaw; Spouted Vessel with Painted Motifs, c.1500–1700; ceramic with pigment; 10 1/2 x 11 in. (26.7 x 27.9 cm); Saint Louis Art Museum, Director's Discretionary Fund 65:2005