Bronze on a wooden base. Height: 32 cm.
Limited edition of 49 pieces.
Colonial of Williamsburg, VA
This sculpture by José Crespo depicts a colonial figure from the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, evoking the American colonial era. Crafted in bronze, the piece portrays the figure in a relaxed yet dignified pose, with one hand on the hip and the other holding a cane, reflecting the fashion and demeanor of the time.
The bronze features a patina that adds depth and enhances the textures, emphasizing the details of the colonial attire, which includes a long coat with buttons, knee-length trousers, and buckled shoes. The character’s facial expression is serene and contemplative, conveying a sense of calm and authority.
The sculpture is mounted on a polished wooden base, providing a warm and elegant contrast to the bronze. This base not only adds stability to the piece but also frames the work in a way that highlights its refinement and attention to detail.
«The idea and model for this figure came from a visit I made to Williamsburg, Virginia, during Christmas of 2010. Williamsburg, along with Yorktown and Jamestown, forms what is called the “Historic Triangle.” This area is a historical site set in the year 1775, featuring, among other things, a city from the era of the 13 American colonies. Actors dressed as colonists explain the history and showcase the main locations and trades of that time. In short, it’s a place where history is proudly taught and displayed, attracting over 4 million visitors annually.
A few hundred miles further south, in Florida, there is a somewhat overlooked place in Anglo-Saxon culture (and ours too) that is two centuries “more historic”: the city of St. Augustine, founded by the Spanish in 1565. It is the oldest city in the United States, and to this day, our flag has flown there longer than any other. Even today, you can see actors dressed in Spanish uniforms of the era standing guard at the Castillo de San Marcos (a fortress, as they say there, that was never taken by the enemy). But that’s another story, and also another figure yet to be made…
In Williamsburg, I took a good number of photos of everything, including the character who was showing visitors the city’s Capitol. That actor caught my attention, especially his posture as he leaned on his cane. This figure is precisely that character.
I started it in February 2011 and finished it in April of the same year.»
José Crespo
