Patriotic picture.....

[Guest 70below]

When I was 13, my grandfather gave me a framed print that he had since he was a kid by A.M. Willard called "Spirit of '76". I've always loved this picture, and really makes me swell up with pride every time I see it.

It was stored at my parents place for a long time, and I finally got it back down to me this Christmas, and I thought I'd share a picture of it for any that may not have seen it before. Its a pretty famous picture, and there are a lot of different renderings. Mine is black and white like this one, but is sepia toned.

[Mike.357]

there is a lot going on in that picture.

I wonder why the guy in the foreground is lying down and waving hit hat

[Guest 70below]

Its supposed to symbolize a celebration after winning our independence, so I always assumed this was "Post-battle" and the guy laying on the ground was injured and waving his hat to the victory, or removed his hat for the flag that was coming. I see one of the soldiers in the background has his hat off waving it in celebration too.

[RobertNashville]

I've always loved this picture as well and remember it well from my grade school history books (I wonder if they still include it today?).

This particular artist is especially meaningful to me - I grew up in Fayette county Ohio and the county court house contains three murals painted by Mr. Willard (The Ohio Channel : Your State : Remarkable Ohio : Marker Details ).

I remember touring our court house as a small boy and looking at those murals...knowing the artist had also painted the "Spirit of '76" was always a bit of pride for me.

[oldogy]

As I remember, that print was fairly common in schools and public buildings several years back.........specifically in an old one room school that was on my grandparent's property. Seems to me that picture was probably only in number behind that of George Washington and Abe Lincoln.

oldogy

[gregintenn]

I wonder why the guy in the foreground is lying down and waving hit hat

I was thinking alcohol.

[gregintenn]

Kinda reminds me of this one I took at Epcot Center last October. That was a very neat gift from your grandfather. I know I'd treasure it as I'm sure you do.

[Guest 70below]

As I remember, that print was fairly common in schools and public buildings several years back.........specifically in an old one room school that was on my grandparent's property. Seems to me that picture was probably only in number behind that of George Washington and Abe Lincoln.

oldogy

Yep, its definitely not a rare print.......but mine is certainly priceless to me!

[Guest SUNTZU]

Very cool.

[Guest bkelm18]

Kinda reminds me of this one I took at Epcot Center last October. That was a very neat gift from your grandfather. I know I'd treasure it as I'm sure you do.

That would be a neat picture if the flautist wasn't doing the splits. Kinda makes it look goofy.

[Guest mosinon]

there is a lot going on in that picture.

I wonder why the guy in the foreground is lying down and waving hit hat

Back then they didn't have lighters. He's also yelling FREEBIRD!

[oldogy]

Yep, its definitely not a rare print.......but mine is certainly priceless to me!

Please do not think I was trying to diminish any kind of value of the gift of that print to you by your grandfather. I, too would be very proud and glad to have it.

Prints such as that and other patriots were commonly displayed and revered years ago in places of public gathering.

oldogy

Edited January 10, 2010 by oldogy

[Volzfan]

I remember that one hanging in the entrance to the Elementary School that I attended.