Tennessee State Bicentennial Portrait

The Pride of Tennessee Adopted: June 1, 1990

Tennessee State Bicentennial Portrait: The Pride of Tennessee

The Pride of Tennessee is a 6' x 8' oil painting that hangs in the old Supreme Court Room in the Tennessee State Capitol. A sister painting hangs in the Murfreesboro Courthouse.

The painting features eleven Tennesseeans notable for their unique contributions to the state and to the nation and is intended to "preserve and promote the cultural heritage and historical accomplishments of all Tennesseans."

It was the idea of Thomas Vaughn, one of the authors of the 1996 Tennessee state song (#7), "The Pride of Tennessee," and former Tennessee artist in residence Michael Sloan, creator of the two official Tennessee state paintings. What Mr. Vaughn expressed in song, Mr. Sloan put down on canvas.

From left to right in the back row are:

Cordell Hull
Anne Dallas Dudley
James K. Polk
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Johnson
David (Davy) Crockett
Sequoyah

In the front row:

W.C. Handy
Alvin C. York
Jackson's horse
Ida B. Wells-Barnett
John Siever

The painting was named the Tennessee's official bicentennial portrait by proclamation of Governor Ned Ray McWherter on June 1, 1990.

"The Pride of Tennesse" portrait hangs in the State Capitol

Tennessee Law

"The Pride of Tennessee" was declared the State's official bicentennial portrait by a proclamation of the Governor and is, therefore, not listed in the Tennessee Code.

Sources...

"Tennessee Blue Book 2009-2010." Tennessee Department of State. Tennessee Department of State, 2010. Web. 23 Sep 2011. <http://www.tn.gov/sos/bluebook/09-10/48%20Symbols%20&%20Honors.pdf>.

Additional Information

"The Pride of Tennessee": Portrait hanging in the Tennessee State House by eddie_bear on Webshots.com.

More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official Tennessee state symbols from NETSTATE.COM.