Artist: J. Scott Nicol
Title: America
Medium: Oil
Dimensions: 24"h x 36"w
Framed dimensions are 26"h x 38"w
"America" is a photorealistic oil painting displaying array of book spines, which together create a contiguous piece of artwork overflowing with American patriotic symbols and references. Starting from the left, the first spine highlights a depiction of the Constitution's preamble "We the People" with an image of the signing of a historical document, indicating a foundational moment in American history. The second spine features a portrait of George Washington. The artwork continues to deliver a strong patriotic sentiment, with a spine reading "God Bless America" set against the image of an American flag. The central book spine showcases Uncle Sam iconography pointing outward, along with a tribute to military service and patriotism. Moving further right, viewers can see the renowned Statue of Liberty on the fourth spine, evoking the theme of freedom that the statue represents. The final book spine on the right presents a landscape of a mountain along with a nod to the song celebrating the country's natural beauty. Collectively, these spines form a unified work that celebrates various aspects of American heritage and national values, utilizing well-known symbols and phrases to evoke pride and recognition.