Panel Two - War of 1812

This is one of three panels that are designed to be interactive with and from the perspective of the viewer. You are potentially seeing the same view that Francis Scott Key saw when he watched Fort McHenry under attack in the war of 1812, which inspired him to write the Star Spangled Banner. The scene features two sleeved arms on a banister of the railing of a ship. It’s interpreted that the arms belong to two British sailors who are impressed that, after an incredible amount of ordinance had been expended, our flag is still there. Francis Scott Key, author of National Anthem, was a prisoner of the British and was able to witness this battle because he was on a prison ship in the Baltimore harbor. 

Initially, the artists were going to paint the sky red to depict “rockets’ red glare” but eventually decided against that. They thought it would be confusing and take away from the scene. They resolved to paint this panel to look like the dawn of a new day to incorporate the entire context of the National Anthem instead of the one line, rockets’ red glare. 

The most important is, of course, “our flag is still there.” The panel features Fort McHenry on fire and the flag that was tattered by the British military bombardment. The city behind is in flames, which casts a light of destruction. We are looking at this fort that should’ve succumbed already (like Ukraine) but the people and the flag of the American spirit is still there. The idea is that you feel like you are there watching the horror of battle from the harbor. You can’t believe this is happening and yet you can still see the flag. “Oh say can you see?” This is the predawn hour, “by the dawn’s early light”. The sun is about to come up, which can be seen in the lighter sky making an appearance over the fort chasing away the darkness of night.

Special Artist Credit

Shae worked diligently to paint the clouds and water just right. The idea was there is some death in the water, and it is in motion. Adam worked on the ships railing. Robert worked on the hands and put the fort on the panel.

Insider Information

The flag was the LAST part of the mural to be painted. This was intentional. It was the ceremonial finish to our patriotic mural.