Great Works II

Wandering around the vibrant and colorful artwork displayed in the American Folk Art Museum of the Upper West Side was me, on a nice Wednesday afternoon. I observed the brilliant pieces presented in the gallery by artist Ralph Fasanella whose work spoke volumes as his pieces depicted urban working life and his critiquing of American life following the events of World War II. The one piece that turned heads and caught my eye was a painting titled “American Heritage” (1974).
At first glance, the piece had a lot going on in all directions as this piece centered on the front entrance of the White House with a rather patriotic scene. Masses of people bombard the scene of the White House but a closer look in detail reveals a not-so-pleasant scene. People in the painting aren’t celebrating an occasion but they are mourning lost ones as they surround the stared and striped decorated coffins. Funerals are being held in front of the White House, but who these people are mourning is a question that any spectator would ask. People are mourning the deaths of notable figures and heroes in American History such as John F. Kennedy, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. These figures were either assassinated or executed which brings light to the intent of the artist and why Ralph Fasanella chose to depict this scene in his painting.
With this painting, Fasanella expresses his anger and criticism of American politics following the post-world war II era. Above all the funerals being held is a dove that no one shall miss whom sits atop the White House as it seems to symbolize peace and its view of displeasure on American politics that took place during the eventful era. Peace activists loom the scene Fasanella criticizes the system of American politics as destroying anything to keep the system moving as this piece operates to show the struggles and sacrifices that came along with trail of American History.