A Strikingly Complex Portrait of a Founding Father

The Trump administration’s celebrations of American independence have sparked controversy over how to honor the nation’s founding history. Amidst this debate, one exhibit stands out: “Titus Kaphar and Junius Brutus Stearns: Pictures More Famous Than the Truth” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. This show is remarkable for its thought-provoking juxtaposition of two artists’ depictions of George Washington and its unflinching portrayal of the complexities surrounding America’s founding.

The exhibit, part of Virginia’s state commemoration of the semiquincentennial, brings together six works by contemporary painter Titus Kaphar with 19th-century artist Junius Brutus Stearns’s paintings of Washington. The collaboration is significant not just for its contrast between old and new but also for its challenge to the conventional image of Washington as a national icon.

Washington was no stranger to controversy during his lifetime. Historian Lydia Brandt notes that the Lost Cause apologists in Virginia sought to associate the Confederacy’s ideals with those of the founding fathers, whitewashing history in the process. Stearns’s paintings, done in the 1840s and 1850s, contributed to the myth that slavery was a benevolent institution by depicting Washington as a plantation master and slave owner.

The contrast between Stearns’s sanitized portrayal of Washington and Kaphar’s unflinching gaze at the complexities of American history is striking. Kaphar approaches his subject with reverence and respect, yet also acknowledges the darker aspects of his legacy. His works combine traditional techniques with unconventional materials, creating a visually stunning yet thought-provoking experience.

The exhibit’s relevance to our current moment is particularly noteworthy. The Trump administration’s celebration of American history has focused on patriotism and nationalism at the expense of nuance or critical engagement with the past. In contrast, “Titus Kaphar and Junius Brutus Stearns” offers a more inclusive vision of what it means to be patriotic.

The exhibit raises important questions about how we represent American history. The tendency to simplify or sanitize our founding figures has long been a problem in the United States. From school textbooks to popular culture, Washington is often depicted as an unassailable hero, glossing over his role in slavery and other controversies.

This simplification can have profound consequences. By failing to confront the complexities of American history, we risk perpetuating myths about our nation’s founding ideals. We also neglect the experiences of marginalized communities, who are often left out of or distorted by these narratives.

The “Titus Kaphar and Junius Brutus Stearns” exhibit demonstrates the power of art to challenge dominant narratives and offer new perspectives on history. By juxtaposing two artists’ depictions of Washington, the show creates a space for critical engagement with the past.

Kaphar’s works are noteworthy for their use of unconventional materials and techniques. His sculptures combine traditional methods with innovative materials like torn fabric and sculpted tar, reflecting his technical skill and willingness to push boundaries and challenge expectations.

The exhibit’s significance extends far beyond the world of art or history. It speaks to a broader debate about how we represent American identity and what it means to be patriotic. In an era marked by increasing polarization and division, “Titus Kaphar and Junius Brutus Stearns” offers a vision of patriotism that is inclusive, nuanced, and critically engaged.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, this exhibit serves as a timely reminder of the importance of confronting complexity and nuance in our national narrative. By embracing the contradictions and controversies of American history, we can create a more inclusive and meaningful understanding of our nation’s founding ideals.

The choice is ours: do we choose to honor the mythic figure of Washington or confront the complexities of his legacy? The “Pictures More Famous Than the Truth” exhibit offers a more compelling vision for America.