- September 9, 2026
American artist Mateo Blanco has donated his original painting "Rockefeller Flag" to The Casements, ensuring the work will remain at the historic Ormond Beach residence where John D. Rockefeller spent the final years of his life.
Created specifically for "The American Legacy" exhibition celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, "Rockefeller Flag" will now become a lasting part of The Casements, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the contemporary work alongside the history and legacy of one of America’s most influential industrialists.
Blanco made the decision to donate the work following the strong response it received from visitors throughout the exhibition.
“Rockefeller Flag was created specifically for this important moment in American history, and seeing the response to the work at The Casements made me realize that this is where it belongs,” Blanco said. “The Casements is a remarkable place with a powerful connection to the idea of legacy. I wanted the painting to remain here so future generations can experience it, learn about Rockefeller’s history and consider what legacy means to them.”
Rather than portraying Rockefeller himself, "Rockefeller Flag" investigates the relationship between material and history. Executed entirely in black oil on canvas, the work draws its conceptual foundation from petroleum—the natural resource that transformed American industry and helped redefine the modern world. At the same time, petroleum returns to its artistic origin through oil paint, the medium that has shaped the history of Western painting for more than five centuries.
“For many people, The Casements represents the final chapter of John D. Rockefeller’s life,” Blanco said. “For me, it represents the beginning of another conversation — one about legacy. Every generation inherits ideas, opportunities and responsibilities created by those who came before. What ultimately defines us is what we choose to build with that inheritance.”
"The American Legacy" exhibition features "Rockefeller Flag" alongside paintings previously exhibited at The Butler Institute of American Art and a selection of photographs celebrating the landscapes, people and cultural narratives that have helped define the United States across generations.
While the exhibition is on view through August 26, "Rockefeller Flag" will remain permanently at The Casements, located at 25 Riverside Drive.
