Praised as America’s greatest work of visionary art, Hampton’s Throne reveals one man’s faith in God as well as his hope for salvation. Although Hampton did not live to initiate a public ministry, his commanding phrase — ​“FEAR NOT” — summarizes his project’s powerful message.

James Hampton’s entire artistic output is this single work, which he constructed for more than fourteen years in a rented garage, transforming its drab interior into a heavenly vision. The Throne and its associated components are made from discarded materials and found objects such as old furniture, cardboard cutouts, and light bulbs. All were scavenged from secondhand shops, the streets, or the federal office buildings in which Hampton worked as a janitor. To complete each element, Hampton used shimmering metallic foils and brilliant purple paper (now faded to tan) to evoke spiritual awe and splendor. Praises as America’s greatest work of visionary art, The Throne reveal one man’s faith in God as well as his hope for his salvation.

Smithsonian American Art Museum: Commemorative Guide. Nashville, TN: Beckon Books, 2015