Matteson, Tompkins Harrison "The Spirit of - 76"

Tompkins Harrison Matteson. "The Spirit of - 76." Philadelphia, 1862. Mezzotint and etching on steel by H.S. Sadd. 15 7/8 x 19. Some light stains and a repaired tear in bottom right margin.  Else, very good condition. A classic picture of the soldier gallantly going off to war for family and country.  The man of the family accepts a rifle from his elderly father and a sword from his mother.  His distraught wife kneels before him while buckling his belt, and his eldest child holds his powder horn.  His infant child sleeps in the arms of a nursemaid who holds a copy of the Declaration of Independence, while in the left background a soldier comes to the door bearing the call to arms.  Implements of domestic life are scattered about the house interior to signify that they are to be left behind. This print was based on a painting done by Tompkins H. Matteson in 1845 which was exhibited both at the American Art Union and the National Academy.  The painting was a great success and it establis