Figurehead: "Jolly Tar"

Mary E. Humes

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture depicts a historical male figure standing in a confident pose. He has one hand on his hip and the other resting by his side. He is dressed in period attire, including a blue coat, a cream shirt, red breeches, and black shoes with buckles. The figure stands upon a base that resembles a scroll or a ship's masthead. The sculpture is rendered in a painted style, with earth-toned hues. The base includes an inscription mentioning "privateer Brigantine JOLLY TARR Norfolk Virginia 1781." The sculpture appears to be from the 18th century, as indicated by the date on the base, and is depicted in a manner typical of ship figureheads from that era.