As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, two of the art world’s leading publications have taken on a challenging question: What defines America?

In an ambitious collaborative project, the editors of ARTnews and Art in America have created a list of the 100 greatest artworks about America. Rather than focusing on the best works produced by American artists, the selection highlights artworks that engage directly with the idea of America itself, examining the nation’s identity, history, values, struggles, and ongoing transformation.

The editors emphasized that the project is not intended to rank the greatest American artists. Instead, it celebrates works that respond to the complexities of the American experience and the many issues that have shaped the country over time.

Spanning several centuries, the collection includes artworks created before the founding of the United States in 1776 as well as contemporary pieces that reflect today’s social and political realities. The selected works encompass a wide variety of artistic mediums, including paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, films, videos, and digital art.

Together, these works document key moments in American history while exploring themes such as democracy, freedom, race, migration, identity, inequality, conflict, and cultural change. The list illustrates how artists have long served as observers, critics, and interpreters of the nation’s evolution.

According to the editors, the featured artworks not only reflect the country’s past and present but also offer insights into its future. By presenting diverse perspectives and experiences, the collection seeks to encourage broader conversations about what America has been, what it is today, and what it may become.

The release of the list comes at a time when debates surrounding national identity remain prominent across the United States. Through art, the project provides a unique lens for examining those discussions and understanding the many narratives that have shaped the nation over more than two centuries.

As America prepares to mark a historic milestone in 2026, the collection stands as both a celebration of artistic achievement and a reflection on the enduring question of what it means to be American.