1898: Visual Culture and U.S. Imperialism in the Caribbean and the Pacific

This book explores U.S. imperialism through the lens of visual culture and portraiture, highlighting the conflicts between those who favored expansion and those who resisted colonization. It features portraits of key figures and artists, including Winslow Homer and Armando Menocal, and considers the role of the Smithsonian Institution in supporting imperialism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In 1898, the United States embarked on a period of territorial expansion that contradicted the founding principles of freedom and democracy for all. This book explores this crucial yet often overlooked era in history through the lens of portraiture and visual culture. Taína Caragol and Kate Clarke Lemay present a comprehensive narrative of 1898 by juxtaposing portraits of U.S. officials who supported overseas expansion, such as William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt, with those of prominent figures who opposed colonization, including Eugenio María de Hostos of Puerto Rico, José Martí of Cuba, Felipe Agoncillo of the Philippines, Padre Jose Bernardo Palomo of Guam, and Queen Lili‘uokalani of Hawai‘i. Throughout the book, Caragol and Lemay also examine landscapes, naval scenes, and ephemera, considering the works of important historical artists like Winslow Homer and Armando Menocal, as well as contemporary artists like Maia Cruz Palileo, Stephanie Syjuco, and Miguel Luciano. Paul A. Kramers essay examines the role of the Smithsonian Institution in perpetuating imperialism, and texts by Jorge Duany, Theodore S. Gonzalves, Kristin L. Hoganson, Healoha Johnston, and Neil Weare provide critical perspectives from experts with deep personal or scholarly connections to the island regions. 1898: Visual Culture and U.S. Imperialism in the Caribbean and the Pacific is a visually stunning publication that invites readers to reevaluate the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, and the annexation of Hawai‘i while shedding light on the enduring consequences of U.S. imperialism. Published in association with the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC, this book offers an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of a pivotal period in American history.

Weight: 1652g
Dimension: 237 x 276 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691246208