Sculpture of The United States - Folk Art

Folk Art

There is frequently art in well-made tombstones, iron products, furniture, toys, and tools—perhaps better reflecting the character of a people than sculptures made in classical styles for social elites. One of these specific applications, the carving of wooden figureheads for ships, started in the Americas as early as 1750 and a century later helped launch the careers of Samuel McIntyre and the country's first famous sculptor, William Rush (1756–1833) of Philadelphia,. The tradition begun then continues today in the folk sculpture style known as Chainsaw carving.

  • Gravestone from Boston, 1736 (?)

  • Ship's figurehead, artist unknown, c. 1830, Art Institute of Chicago

  • Preacher, c. 1830, Art Institute of Chicago

  • William Rush—portrait of General Andrew Jackson, 1815, Art Institute of Chicago

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