Mel Crawford: Great Seal of Rhode Island

Artist: Mel Crawford
1925 -
Nationality: Canadian
Artwork Year: 1984
Image Size: 12 by 12 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 15 inches
Medium: Oil on Cold Press Illustration Board

The phrase, "Hope we have as an anchor of the soul," was probably the inspiration for the simple seal of the state of Rhode Island. This passage from the Bible may have influenced religious leaders who founded the colony. Choosing simply the word "Hope" as their motto, colonists established one of the shortest mottos of any state seal. It was indeed a fitting motto, since Rhode Island would be the smallest state in the Union. However, in contrast, the official name of the seal is the longest. Since early settlements in the New World were called plantations, the four largest -- Providence, Warwick, Portsmouth and Newport -- were represented by the name "Providence Plantations." "Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" applied to the entire colony. A large anchor adorns the state seal, referring not only to the quote, but also to the settlement's close relationship with the sea. Founded in 1636, Rhode Island was one of the thirteen original colonies and that important date appears on the state seal beneath the decorative anchor. The Rhode Island State Seal, as it is today, was cast in 1892.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Great Seal of the State of Rhode Island Commemorative Cover issued May 29, 1984.

Artwork Copyright © 1984 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB08771

US$ Price: $1,800.00

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