ArtistKathryn Freeman
Procession Into the City, Memorial Bridge
Date1995
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions40 × 72 in. (101.6 × 182.9 cm)
Framed Size: 43 × 75 in. (109.2 × 190.5 cm)
Credit LineDC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Art Bank Collection
Object numberDCCAH2002.074
ClassificationsPaintings
Locations
- Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (1350 Penn Ave NW, 108)
Description“Procession into the City, Memorial Bridge” is the sixth painting in a series called “Toward a Peaceable Kingdom.” Freeman returned to the United States after living abroad for ten years and was alarmed at how divisive the country had become. Freeman decided to do these paintings as an expression of her feelings as well as in the hope that we could become a more harmonious society. She chose the animals at the National Zoo as an allegory for the idea of taking down barriers and letting all the creatures come together to live in peace. “In Procession into the City, Memorial Bridge” the animals have all been freed from their cages and enclosures and have formed a parade to march on Washington. Other symbols in this painting that speak to various issues is the winged figure tending to the homeless man sleeping on the bridge, a man asking for money for food from two women, and the little boy sleeping on the bench with a toy gun- expressing Freeman’s personal wish that all guns be put to rest forever. Also of note is the little boy pointing to the procession of animals while his father is oblivious. This represents Freeman’s optimism that future generations will see the light and find a way for people of all types and beliefs to live with respect for each other in peace and harmony.
