“Rather Die Freemen, than Live to Be Slaves”

c. 1864

David Bustill Bowser

Associated Names
David Bustill Bowser

Artist, American, 1820 - 1900

The image shows two full-body figures. On the left, there is a person dressed in classical-style garments with draped robes and a laurel wreath around the head, holding a pole or staff. To the right stands a man in a military uniform holding an American flag, with an upright posture and one hand on the flagstaff. The surroundings include an ornate floral border with inscriptions reading "RATHER DIE FREEMEN, THAN LIVE TO BE SLAVES" and "3RD UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS," along with tents and trees in the background.

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Ross Kelbaugh, Marriottsville, MD; NGA purchase, 2023.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

on verso, by Ross Kelbaugh, top right in graphite: AF031H; by unknown hand, upper center in graphite: To be engraved [?]; center printed in black ink: D. B. Bowser / ARTIST / No. 481 North 4th St. / Philadelphia.; by unknown hand, lower center in graphite: Compliments of / Robert R. Carson