The Declaration of Indepenence 1845

Edward Hicks, active in the first half of the 19th century, created "The Declaration of Independence" using oil on canvas, a readily available material at the time. The flat application of paint, combined with the rendering of light and shadow, is typical of American folk painting from this period. Hicks was a Quaker minister and sign painter, which lends a particular inflection to his fine art. He employed techniques learned from both worlds. The skilled labor involved, reflects the values and aspirations of a newly formed nation. The materiality of the painting-- the smooth canvas, the careful application of oil paint-- stands in contrast to the revolutionary subject matter, connecting labor, politics, and consumption. By considering the materials and making, we see that the Declaration of Independence is not just a document of political theory, but also an artifact of early American ingenuity and craftsmanship.