John Gast
American·1842–1896
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John Gast (1842-1896) was a Prussian-born American painter best known for American Progress (1872), an allegorical painting of Manifest Destiny showing Columbia floating westward bringing civilization. While primarily a painter, this single work has become one of the most reproduced images in American history.
Notable Works by John Gast
1 painting catalogued with museum locations
About John Gast
Gast painted American Progress (1872), showing Columbia floating westward as a symbol of Manifest Destiny. This single allegorical painting became one of the most iconic images in American history.
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