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I'm sure many of you are familiar with this painting by Archibald McNeal Willard (1836 - 1918). It is an 8' x 10' oil painting made in Ohio for our country's 100th year anniversary. When first completed it was known as "Yankee Doodle" and only later became know as the "The Spirit of '76". Critics at the time considered it to be cartoonish.
The painting's popularity led Willard to paint an estimated 10 more versions. The models were Hugh Moser, a Civil War veteran and friend of Willard's playing the fife, Henry K. Devereux, son of Gen. John H. Devereux served as the model for the drummer on the left and Willard's father, Rev. Samuel Willard, as the older drummer.
Now for a bit of trivia . . .
The words to Yankee Doodle Dandy were written as a slap in the face to Americans. "Yankee Doodle" is a famous example of an insult the backfired. The term Yankee is difficult to nail down but some historians say it is derived from Dutch words that were pronounced "John Cheese" in the 1850's. A "doodle" is a country hick, and a "dandy" is a conceited jerk. Riding on a pony is an insult as a proper military commander rides a horse. Stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni is insulting because a macaroni was a pejorative term used to describe a fashionable man with feminine traits of 18th century Britain. British troops played the song while marching out of Boston to Lexington and Concord in 1775. The Colonists adopted the lyrics and tune for motivation.
Big Boy No. 4014 is on its return trip west after spending the 4th of July in Philadelphia. There was no whistle stop this time around, but it did not stop people from lining the railroad tracks to witness its passing. What a sight and sound to behold!!! I am so thankful to have witnessed this marvelous machine, not once but twice.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren
8 comments:
Great history lesson, Lauren. Love that painting.
So interesting!!!! Now the song makes more sense.
Thanks for sharing the history of Yankee Doodle Dandy. I had not realized its origin before. So love history. Wish I could have seen that historic train too. Glad you were able to see it not once, but twice. Janice
Enjoyed the history lesson. I always loved the movie with James Cagney and amazed that hoodlum-playing actor was such a talented dancer. Sadly didn't get to see the famous engine even once.
Thank you for the information about the painting. It's my understanding that the painter is from nearby Wellington. I have been to their museum and was able to purchase a print of that painting. Lots of interesting things there.
Thanks for the back round about Yankee Doodle Dandy !
We saw The Big Train on TV a few times , had to be amazing to see that in person and hearing the loud whistle !!! So Cool !!!
That painting is a classic. I will need to look up some of the other versions. I didn't realize he'd done so many. I knew some of the trivia (only because the "macaroni" part had always puzzled me and, of course, I had to finally succumb to my curiosity and, well, you know...those rabbit holes tripped me up.) However, I did not know about the models he used. Now a bit of trivia for you: Did you know that there is another historically well-known "Rev. Samuel Willard?"" He was a pivotal figure in the Salem witch trials (known as a moderate who opposed the use of spectral evidence and did not support the creation of the Court of Oyer and Terminer to deal with the trials. At first I thought it might be the same Samuel Willard (renditions of "my" Rev. Willard could pass for Rev. Willard the drummer but, as far as I know, there is no familial connection. (Sorry...total deviation...but still counts as trivia??) (Lucky you to see that amazing train twice...The second time looks like it may have been better with less crowds?)
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