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The Spirit of ’76 by Archibald Willard, 1876, oil
on canvas. Click to enlarge. |
Archibald Willard (1836-1918) was an early American artist whose name is not well remembered, but whose signature work is instantly recognizable. A historic figure in Ohio for sure, Willard created The Spirit of ’76 (above), as iconic a rendering in the American imagination as any.
He was a Freemason too and, like any dedicated artist in the fraternity, he painted Masonic themes for Masonic use. It is unknown precisely when, but approximately 1875 Willard created a mural for a lodge located in Bellefontaine, Ohio. The painting, in three sections spanning a total of 13 feet of canvas, depicts King Solomon’s Temple, and was used for degree instruction.
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| Courtesy morningjournal.com
One section of the Masonic mural.
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Last Saturday, The Chronicle reported how the work has been undergoing restoration, and that it will be returned for exhibit inside The Spirit of ’76 Museum in Wellington when complete. Mending tears and holes, and removing nearly a century and half worth of dirt is most of the difficult work being handled by experts at the Intermuseum Conservation Association in Cleveland.
Click here for more on the painting.
This project costs $34,000. A grant of $18,000 from a non-profit called the Ohio History Connection (formerly the Ohio Historical Society) is being put to use, but you can donate by visiting here.
