The Spirit of 76, (sculpture) | Smithsonian Institution

Object Details

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New York survey, 1994.; Image on file.; unsigned; The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.
Summary: Sculpture installation in a yard consisting of several figure groups and solo figures painted with acrylics. "The Spirit of 76" depicts scenes from everyday colonial life. Scenes are: a fife and drum corps; a farmer plowing with a mule; a colonial woman with a broom; an ox ramming a man in the behind; and barnyard animals, including a cow, rooster and pig. "Mountain Dew" shows a mountain man and mountain woman clutching a lamp post after enjoying a jug of Mountain Dew. A figure resembling Big Foot walks behind them. "Adirondack Skeeter" is an insect figure with a drill bit nose, a long tongue and many legs. A "Deliverance" scenario depicts two men being led or captured by a mountain man. The installation also includes three "tree people" with a "tree dog" and several leprechauns.

1963-1994

Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums

Topic: History--United States--Revolution; Figure group; Dress--Historic--Eighteenth Century Dress; Object--Musical Instrument--Flute; Object--Musical Instrument--Drum; Object--Other--Flag; Occupation--Farm--Sowing; Object--Tool--Plow; Animal--Cattle; Object--Tool--Broom; Animal--Bird--Chicken; Animal--Pig; Architecture--Detail--Streetlight; Object--Foodstuff--Beverage; Fantasy--Monster; Fantasy--Animal--Insect; Fantasy--Animal--Dog; Fantasy--Elf