Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "Peace Flag" Signed lower middle. Original Oil painting on Canvas board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 33c Peace Flag Classic Collection Series stamp issued June 14, 2000. In the decades following the Civil War, the Peace Flag was created to symbolize America's dedication to world peace. One of the first steps in promoting this lofty goal began in 1899, at The Hague, a scenic city in the Netherlands. The Hague Court held its first international peace conference where representatives met to settle international quarrels and prevent war. The purpose of this conference was to codify international law by providing official procedures in mediation, inquiry and arbitration. In addition, delegates hoped to establish statutes to peacefully solve international disputes and promote disarmament. The United States was represented by Ambassador Andrew D. White, former president of Cornell University; Seth Low, president of Columbia University; Stanford Newell, minister to the Netherlands; Captain William Crozier of the U.S. Army; Captain T. Mahan of the U.S. Navy, and GREW. Holls, a member of the New York bar. Although the conference failed to reach agreement on disarmament, it did establish conventions concerning the pacific settlement of international disputes, the rules of land warfare, and the application to naval war of the principles of the Geneva Convention of 1864. Image Size: 13.5 x 11.5 in. Overall Size: 19.5 x 15 in. Unframed. (B16822)