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

$667

Painting, Cocacola 6, Granados

Granados

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

$1,092

Painting, Cab 733, Marc Taraskoff

Marc Taraskoff

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

$10,311

Painting, New-York, Tony Soulié

Tony Soulié

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

$5,459

Painting, Times, Lluís Puiggrós

Lluís Puiggrós

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

$667

Painting, Série N.Y. #1, Koba

Koba

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

$607

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

$1,092

Painting, Off White, cObo

cObo

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

$3,518

Painting, Lucky, Alexander Levich

Alexander Levich

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

$4,003

Sculpture, American eagle, Jicé

Jicé

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

$4,488

Painting, New Orleans, Yann Letestu

Yann Letestu

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

$2,305

Painting, Motor company, Sylvie Cappe

Sylvie Cappe

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

$1,189

Painting, Jimi, Sylvie Cappe

Sylvie Cappe

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

$1,237

Painting, Poker Martni, Dima Gorban

Dima Gorban

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

$2,547

Painting, New-York 6, HM

HM

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

$3,639

Painting, Toy!, JP Malot

JP Malot

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

$7,278

Painting, Uncle Sam Rides, Papayon

Papayon

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

$2,426

Sculpture, City (1247), Masaya

Masaya

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

$5,823

Sculpture, Liberty USA, Spaco

Spaco

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

$315

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

$1,092

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

$5,823

Sculpture, Mickey graffiti, Spaco

Spaco

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

$303

Painting, Ducking love, Fringe

Fringe

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

$10,311

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

$4,852

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

$6,065

Print, Newyorker, Garner

Garner

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

$728

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

$534

Painting, Connection, Hubert Ollivier

Hubert Ollivier

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

$303

Painting, 5th Avenue Uptown, Garner

Garner

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

$6,065

Painting, New York 2, Laurent Chabot

Laurent Chabot

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

$6,672

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