American Dream

The concept of the American dream is the idea that anyone who came to work in the United States could. This could be achieved through hard work, courage, and determination, which would in turn lead to a happy and prosperous life.

Historian James Truslow Adams used this for the first time in 1931. Although having expressed the concept of the American Dream in his work "The Epic of America", the idea already appeared in the 16th century during the time of American colonization by England. The merits of the new land were exaggeratedly praised to encourage the English to leave for the Americas to become settlers. However, those who attempted the migratory adventure and set out to conquer American soil often found living conditions difficult upon their arrival.

On July 4, 1776, the representatives of the colonies met in Philadelphia and proclaimed the independence of the United States. They adopted the Declaration of Independence which affirms in particular that all men have the inherent right to “the pursuit of happiness", thus reaffirming the American Dream, which goes beyond mere utopia. 

Among all the symbols of the American Dream, the most attractive and the most important is the Statue of Liberty. For a long time, it was the first image that immigrants had of America upon arriving at Ellis Island. Alongside it stands the Brooklyn Bridge which has also become famous for similar reasons. 

Thanks to the industrial revolution, the American Dream was the embodiment of diversity from emigrants who returned to invest in their country of origin. Consequently, America's social reality caused the disillusion of many immigrants. This concept has been, and remains, one of the main drivers of the migratory flow to the United States.

With its ongoing popularity and constant social spotlight, the United States is a symbol of superpower and success. They relentlessly spread a culture of mass consumption. Until you can visit the United States, Artsper offers you an overview of artists and artworks inspired by American culture. Revel in our selection of contrasting visions, between dream and reality! 

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Painting, Bridge, Lluís Puiggrós

Lluís Puiggrós

Painting - 50 x 50 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 inch

$670

Painting, Cocacola 6, Granados

Granados

Painting - 104 x 74.5 cm Painting - 40.9 x 29.3 inch

$1,096

Painting, Cab 733, Marc Taraskoff

Marc Taraskoff

Painting - 130 x 98 x 1 cm Painting - 51.2 x 38.6 x 0.4 inch

$10,351

Painting, Poker Martni, Dima Gorban

Dima Gorban

Painting - 75 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 29.5 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$2,557

Painting, New-York, Tony Soulié

Tony Soulié

Painting - 60 x 90 x 5 cm Painting - 23.6 x 35.4 x 2 inch

$5,480

Painting, Times, Lluís Puiggrós

Lluís Puiggrós

Painting - 50 x 50 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 inch

$670

Painting, Fast Car 2, Marco Barberio

Marco Barberio

Painting - 100 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch

$2,898

Painting, Série N.Y. #1, Koba

Koba

Painting - 60 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$609

Painting, Uncle Sam Rides, Papayon

Papayon

Painting - 75 x 65 x 2.5 cm Painting - 29.5 x 25.6 x 1 inch

$2,435

Photography, On the road, VI, Tony Harmer

Tony Harmer

Photography - 76 x 114 x 0.5 cm Photography - 29.9 x 44.9 x 0.2 inch

$1,096

Painting, Off White, cObo

cObo

Painting - 65 x 92 cm Painting - 25.6 x 36.2 inch

$3,531

Painting, Lucky, Alexander Levich

Alexander Levich

Painting - 80 x 150 x 2 cm Painting - 31.5 x 59.1 x 0.8 inch

$4,019

Sculpture, American eagle, Jicé

Jicé

Sculpture - 100 x 85 x 15 cm Sculpture - 39.4 x 33.5 x 5.9 inch

$4,506

Painting, Roy's, Yann Argentin

Yann Argentin

Painting - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$2,192

Painting, New Orleans, Yann Letestu

Yann Letestu

Painting - 73 x 54 x 2 cm Painting - 28.7 x 21.3 x 0.8 inch

$2,314

Painting, Motor company, Sylvie Cappe

Sylvie Cappe

Painting - 65 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$1,193

Painting, Jimi, Sylvie Cappe

Sylvie Cappe

Painting - 100 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

$1,242

Painting, New-York 6, HM

HM

Painting - 100 x 100 x 4 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 1.6 inch

$3,653

Painting, The beach, Yann Argentin

Yann Argentin

Painting - 97 x 130 x 3 cm Painting - 38.2 x 51.2 x 1.2 inch

$5,967

Sculpture, City (1247), Masaya

Masaya

Sculpture - 60 x 60 x 8 cm Sculpture - 23.6 x 23.6 x 3.1 inch

$5,845

Sculpture, Liberty USA, Spaco

Spaco

Sculpture - 26 x 10 x 7 cm Sculpture - 10.2 x 3.9 x 2.8 inch

$317

Photography, On the road, II, Tony Harmer

Tony Harmer

Photography - 76 x 114 x 0.5 cm Photography - 29.9 x 44.9 x 0.2 inch

$1,096

Print, Disneyland, Art Grafts

Art Grafts

Print - 63.5 x 63.5 cm Print - 25 x 25 inch

$1,705

Photography, Canyon B, Jarmila Kostliva

Jarmila Kostliva

Photography - 92 x 62 x 0.2 cm Photography - 36.2 x 24.4 x 0.1 inch

$900

Painting, Iron Man, MC Garbage

MC Garbage

Painting - 100 x 100 x 4 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 1.6 inch

$5,845

Fine Art Drawings, Fire and fury, Guillaume Piot

Guillaume Piot

Fine Art Drawings - 80 x 120 cm Fine Art Drawings - 31.5 x 47.2 inch

$4,871

Painting, Ducking love, Fringe

Fringe

Painting - 100 x 100 x 3 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 1.2 inch

$10,351

Sculpture, Mickey graffiti, Spaco

Spaco

Sculpture - 20 x 15 x 10 cm Sculpture - 7.9 x 5.9 x 3.9 inch

$304

Painting, Toy!, JP Malot

JP Malot

Painting - 80 x 120 x 3 cm Painting - 31.5 x 47.2 x 1.2 inch

$7,306

Painting, I miss him, MC Garbage

MC Garbage

Painting - 100 x 100 x 4 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 1.6 inch

$6,089

Print, Newyorker, Garner

Garner

Print - 33 x 48.3 x 0.1 cm Print - 13 x 19 x 0 inch

$731

Print, Palm Springs, Bill Butcher

Bill Butcher

Print - 60 x 60 x 1 cm Print - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch

$1,059

Photography, Hidden Katherine, Clotilde.MJ

Clotilde.MJ

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.3 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

$536

Print, Spirits, Bill Butcher

Bill Butcher

Print - 96 x 80 x 1 cm Print - 37.8 x 31.5 x 0.4 inch

$3,531

Photography, Manhattan bleu, Sylvie Benoit

Sylvie Benoit

Photography - 42 x 70 x 3 cm Photography - 16.5 x 27.6 x 1.2 inch

$1,461

Painting, New York 2, Laurent Chabot

Laurent Chabot

Painting - 150 x 180 x 5 cm Painting - 59.1 x 70.9 x 2 inch

$6,698

Painting, Connection, Hubert Ollivier

Hubert Ollivier

Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

$304

Painting, 5th Avenue Uptown, Garner

Garner

Painting - 180 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 70.9 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch

$6,089

Sculpture, Money bomb, Thierry Trivès

Thierry Trivès

Sculpture - 27 x 20 x 20 cm Sculpture - 10.6 x 7.9 x 7.9 inch

$2,192

Photography, Concrete Jungle, Andrew Soria

Andrew Soria

Photography - 101.6 x 127 x 2.5 cm Photography - 40 x 50 x 1 inch

$4,400

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