Morning of Hope, Dusk of Despair – MS St. Louis Story | Glenn Beck Print

This evocative painting juxtaposes a sunlit harbor with the tragic voyage of the MS St. Louis in 1939. Glenn Beck contrasts the hope embodied by the Statue of Liberty with the despair of refugees turned away, highlighting a moment when America did not live up to its ideals.

Message from the artist: This painting has a weird name because I didn’t know exactly what to call it. The ship is going out to sea from the harbor, passing by Ellis Island. On the one hand, it’s a beautiful morning—sunny, filled with hope. On the other hand, the painting shows the MS St. Louis carrying many Jewish Europeans seeking refuge in the United States, turning around after being banned from docking at Ellis Island. The statue of liberty is an emblem of hope for people all of the world. The MS St. Louis is a tragic story of immigrants so close to this hope that they could almost touch it. But then they were turned around. Many died in the Holocaust upon return. America continues to be a nation of hope for the world, and enduring symbol of freedom and liberty to the world. But we have to remember the times when we didn’t live up to that standard and learn from our mistakes. This painting attempts to capture this bittersweet lesson.

Available as a limited edition giclée print (signed or unsigned) or as a poster print, this artwork invites reflection on freedom, immigration, and our responsibility to stand against oppression.