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Open 10:00–5:00

National Gallery of Art

  • Visit

    • Plan Your Visit
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Food and Drink
    • Tours and Guides
    • Explore the Campus

    Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Admission is always free

    6th and Constitution Ave NW 
    Washington, DC 20565

    Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

    Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights

    Through September 5

  • Exhibitions & Events

    • Exhibitions
    • Calendar
    • Kid-Friendly Events

    America’s 250th

    Celebrating American art and artists

  • Art & Artists

    • Artworks
    • Artists
    • Stories
    • Fun and Games
    • Educational Resources
    • Research

    Open Call

    Artists Reimagining the Collection

    Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Utility

  • Support
  • Shop
  • Become a Member

  • Visit

    • Plan Your Visit
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Food and Drink
    • Tours and Guides
    • Explore the Campus

    Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Admission is always free

    6th and Constitution Ave NW 
    Washington, DC 20565

    Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

    Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights

    Through September 5

  • Exhibitions & Events

    • Exhibitions
    • Calendar
    • Kid-Friendly Events

    America’s 250th

    Celebrating American art and artists

  • Art & Artists

    • Artworks
    • Artists
    • Stories
    • Fun and Games
    • Educational Resources
    • Research

    Open Call

    Artists Reimagining the Collection

    Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Utility

  • Support
  • Shop
  • Become a Member

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  • Open 10:00–5:00
  • See extended hours

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    3. David Bustill Bowser

    David Bustill Bowser

    American, 1820 - 1900

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    Artwork

    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.
    David Bustill Bowser, “Rather Die Freemen, than Live to Be Slaves”, c. 1864, albumen silver print (carte-de-visite), Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection, Purchased with support from the Ford Foundation, 2023.39.64

    “Rather Die Freemen, than Live to Be Slaves”

    “Rather Die Freemen, than Live to Be Slaves”

    David Bustill Bowser · c. 1864 · albumen silver print (carte-de-visite) ·  Accession ID  2023.39.64

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      6th St and Constitution Ave NW
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      4th St and Constitution Ave NW
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      7th St and Constitution Ave NW
      Washington, DC 20565

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