Artwork
Spirit of '76
Spirit of '76 is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist T. H. Matteson. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1845 by American artist Tompkins Harrison Matteson, *Spirit of '76* is an oil painting that reflects the painter’s interest in historic and patriotic subjects. The work is part of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ collection and exemplifies the folk‑art style that was common in mid‑nineteenth‑century America.
Subject & Meaning
To his left, an older gentleman holds a rifle beside a woman in a yellow dress; on the right, a seated woman cradles an infant.
The composition shows a domestic interior populated by several figures. At its centre stands a man in dark clothing with a red vest, brandishing a gun upward while gesturing with his free hand. To his left, an older gentleman holds a rifle beside a woman in a yellow dress; on the right, a seated woman cradles an infant. The scene conveys a sense of urgency and collective resolve, evoking the spirit of the Revolutionary era.
Technique & Style
Matteson employs a muted palette of browns and earth tones, contrasted by brighter accents such as the red vest and yellow dress. The lighting draws attention to the central figure, while the brushwork remains relatively flat, characteristic of American folk painting. The interior setting is rendered with simple, linear details rather than elaborate modeling.
History & Provenance
Born in 1813, Matteson trained at the National Academy of Design and was influenced by William Sidney Mount. He worked from a New York City studio during the 1840s, producing works that often celebrated American history. *Spirit of '76* eventually entered the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it remains on display.
Artist & collection
Artist
Tompkins Harrison Matteson was an American painter born in Peterboro, New York, in 1813.
