America Endures – 250 years of Valor and Virtue

Additional Information

I created this painting to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. Not only to celebrate, but to reflect on what it takes for a nation to endure. Endurance isn’t guaranteed. It depends on virtue, integrity, and the willingness of people to carry those values forward.
In the painting, I included a reference to Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware. That image has always stood out to me as a symbol of resilience and courage. Leutze intentionally depicts individuals of different backgrounds, struggling together against adversity and bound by shared purpose. From many people, one goal emerges. The idea that strength comes from unity, and not uniformity, has always felt central to the American story.
I also included the small “Unite or Die” clipping. The image of a segmented snake was famously used by Benjamin Franklin to remind the colonies that they could not survive if they remained divided. It’s not a slogan. It’s a warning. Survival depends on people working together, respecting one another, and holding fast to shared principles.
The drum, worn and weathered, is the heartbeat of the people. I don’t see it as a military tool or a sign of command. It’s the steady rhythm that keeps the nation moving, carried by effort, discipline, and perseverance.
The flag, also weathered and tattered, shows ideals tested over time. They’ve lasted not because they were perfect, but because people worked to uphold, repair, and defend them. The wear tells the story of sacrifice, vigilance, and the responsibility it takes to preserve what matters.
This painting reflects shared responsibility. The flag, the drum, the reference to Leutze, and the ‘Unite or Die’ clipping remind us that these principles endure only through effort—they are not automatic. I hope it invites viewers to reflect on what endurance, unity, and virtue mean to them, and how those ideas continue to shape our story today. – Kyle Polzin

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