Alan Bean (Texas, 1932-2018), "Our Reluctant Flag", dated 1983, acrylic on panel, from Bean's lunar mission to the Ocean of Storms in November 1969 with fellow astronaut Peter Conrad

sight: 22 x 28 in., frame: 21.5 x 27.5 in.

Alan Bean was the fourth man to walk on the moon, and the first artist to depict the moon from direct experience. He reflects, "This painting brings back a poignant moment from our visit to the Ocean of Storms in November of 1969. I had just hammered the lower section of the flag pole into the lunar dirt as Pete Conrad began to unfold our flag and ready it for insertion into the lower section. As Pete lifted the metal rod that holds the flag straight out in the airless, windless environment of the moon, he discovered the locking pin that holds the metal rod out would not lock in place...Pete held our flag out with his hand for a few seconds. It was a proud moment, but a reluctant flag. Our flag will hang as one would on Earth on a calm day for the next million years or so unless NASA sends Pete and me back to install a replacement locking pin."

Provenance: Property from a home in Dallas, Texas