JOHN GAST'S "AMERICAN PROGRESS" (1872)
IN JOHN GAST'S "AMERICAN PROGRESS," (1872) A DIAPHANOUSLY AND
PRECARIOUS CLAD AMERICA FLOATS WESTWARD THRU THE AIR WITH THE
"STAR OF EMPIRE" ON HER FOREHEAD. SHE HAS LEFT THE CITIES OF THE
EAST BEHIND, AND THE WIDE MISSISSIPPI, AND STILL HER COURSE IS
WESTWARD. IN HER RIGHT HAND SHE CARRIES A SCHOOL BOOK--
TESTIMONIAL OF THE NATIONAL ENLIGHTENMENT, WHILE WITH HER LEFT
SHE TRAILS THE SLENDER WIRES OF THE TELEGRAPH THAT WILL BIND THE
NATION. FLEEING HER APPROACH ARE INDIANS, BUFFALO, WILD HORSES,
BEARS, AND OTHER GAME, DISAPPEARING INTO THE STORM AND WAVES OF
THE PACIFIC COAST. THEY FLEE THE WONDEROUS VISION--THE STAR "IS
TOO MUCH FOR THEM."--PRECIS OF A CONTEMPORARY DESCRIPTION OF THIS
PAINTING BY GEORGE CROFUTT WHO DISTRIBUTRED HIS ENGRAVING OF IT
WIDELY.
