Curatorial Narrative Arms of Washington by Anonymous sits within the liminal space between historical documentation and artistic expression. Painted in 1775, this work embodies the early stirrings of American identity, its linear brushwork harkening back to medieval illuminated manuscripts while simultaneously foreshadowing the grandiose sweep of neoclassicism. The architectural subject matter, rendered in a palette of red, white, blue, black, and gold, assumes an almost sculptural presence. When enlarged to 44×54, the chromatic structure of Arms of Washington begins to interact with its surroundings in complex ways. The spatial rhythm established by the strict verticality of the composition creates a sense of vertical emphasis, drawing the eye inexorably towards the upper reaches of the canvas. Against a backdrop of rich materials for example, the sumptuous velvet or the cool sheen of polished wood Arms of Washington’s palette