Signed and dated lower left: Howard Chandler Christy / 1936

Howard Chandler Christy (American, 1872-1952) The Boy Scout Jamboree post card face, conceived 1936, published 1937 Oil on canvas 60 x 40 inches (152.4 x 101.6 cm) Signed and dated lower left: Howard Chandler Christy / 1936 Property from the BSA Settlement Trust, Sold for the Benefit of Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse "The Boy Scout has been reading the Constitution and he ponders his future career. A vision of those who framed it-- Washington, Franklin, Madison, Hamilton-- comes to him, symbolizing his highest ideals." Howard Chandler Christy, an iconic American artist known for his depictions of patriotic themes, executed The Boy Scout Jamboree post card face for the 1937 Boy Scout Jamboree held in Washington D.C. The painting, rich with symbolism and the artist's characteristic visual techniques, merges Christy's characteristic idealism with the aspirational values of the Boy Scouts and the Founding Fathers. The 1937 Jamboree was a momentous occasion. Twice postponed due to a polio outbreak, the First National Jamboree, as it became known, brought together more than 27,000 Boy Scouts from across the United States and several foreign countries. The event was conceived of not only as a celebration of youth and camaraderie, but also as a symbolic linkage of two pillars of American society: The nation's founding principles and the cultivation of its future leaders. Christy, already famous for such military paintings as the "Christy Girls", was commissioned to create a visual representation of these ideals. Coinciding with the sesquicentennial celebration of the U.S. Constitution's original drafting over the summer of 1787, the Jamboree itself and Christy's commemorative painting served to reflect the broader national mood of reverence for the American ethos. The Boy Scouts, founded in 1910, were viewed as an organization that promoted civic responsibility, personal honor, and duty—qualities closely aligned with the virtues the Founding Fathers had sought to instill in the Constitution. In Christy's post card, a young Boy Scout, resplendent in his uniform, sits in the foreground, occupying a position of central focus. His posture, facial expression, and the overall treatment of his form suggest not only youth and vitality but also a calm sense of responsibility. His clear-eyed gaze conveys a sense of purpose and idealism, positioning him as the inheritor of the moral and political traditions symbolized by the figures looming behind him. Behind the Boy Scout, Christy included several of the nation's Founding Fathers, among them George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, who stand enshrined in soft, almost ethereal tones. These figures are depicted in a ghostly manner, indicative of their role as forefathers and symbolic guardians of the principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. The American flag, waving dramatically, underscores the patriotic intent of the composition, further linking the young scout to our nation's heritage. The painting's subtle symbolism is emblematic of Christy at his finest. The Capitol Building, visible in the background, represents the seat of American democracy and law-making. Positioned slightly to the side and blending into the background, it is less a tangible building than an emblem of the government that flows from the Constitution. Meanwhile, the pamphlet at the Scout's feet, labeled "1787–1937 Constitution of the United States of America," draws a direct line between the young scout's role in society and the principles of the founding document. The centrality of the young Boy Scout within the work symbolizes the transfer of national values and civic responsibility to the next generation. His casual pose, with one hand resting on his hat and the other grounding him on the earth, symbolizes a balanced relationship between reflective thought and action—a harmony promoted both by the Boy Scout organization and the nation's founding philosophies. The Boy Scouts of America, whose guiding principles align with those of citizenship, self-reliance, and morality, embody a set of values derived directly from the Enlightenment ideals of the Founders. Christy's soft, fluid brushwork creates a dream-like quality in the painting. Chiaroscuro—the play between light and shadow—enlivens the canvas and reinforces the central message of enlightenment and virtue passed from one generation to the next. The soft light illuminating the Scout contrasts with the muted, hazy light surrounding the Founding Fathers, suggesting that the clarity of their vision is now carried forward by the youth. The painting's overall palette, rich in warm browns, greens, and earth tones, evokes the natural world, which is central to the Boy Scout movement, and the deep rootedness of America's political tradition. The inclusion of this painting on the reverse of the 1937 Boy Scout Jamboree postcard guaranteed its wide dissemination, embedding the work in the collective memory of both the scouting movement and broader American society. It remains a significant visual artifact that encapsulates a crucial moment in American history. Created on the eve of World War II and during the Great Depression, the painting's optimistic portrayal of youth and its patriotic overtones suggest an attempt to reaffirm the nation's democratic ideals during times of uncertainty. Despite its iconic representation of this specific instance in time, The Boy Scout Jamboree post card cace exudes the immortal ethos of a country where the best qualities of its founding are continually passed forward, renewed tirelessly by each generation. Opening Bid: $5,000 HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Unlined canvas. Small 1/2 inch repair with accompanying retouching in the figure's hat. Under UV exam, 5 inch horizonal line of inpaint left of the scout's shoulder. 2 inch area of Scattered dots and dashes of retouching along the lower right edge. Minor reinforcement to the extreme edges. Framed Dimensions 63.5 X 43.5 Inches