Archibald M. Willard (American, 1836-1918) The Spirit of '76 (Yankee Doodle)

Watercolor and gouache on paper. Unsigned.

Note: The Spirit of ’76, originally titled Yankee Doodle, was painted by Archibald M. Willard, of Cleveland Ohio for exhibit in Philadelphia during the 1876 centennial celebrations.
In 1880, General John H. Devereux (whose son was the model for the drummer boy), bought the painting and donated it to the Town of Marblehead to be "erected in Abbot Hall to the memory of the brave men of Marblehead who have died in battle on sea and land for their country." Devereux was a Marblehead native who eventually made his fortune in Cleveland.