Unidentified artist, Liberty, American, about 1790–1800. White pine and paint. H. E. Bolles Fund.
Unidentified artist, Liberty, American, about 1790–1800. White pine and paint. H. E. Bolles Fund.
Representations of Liberty in American Folk Art
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Tickets (Member / Nonmember)
In-Person $28 / $35
Livestream $16 / $20
Not much is known about the history of the MFA’s iconic 18th-century sculpture Liberty. Its object record contains little information. It might have come from a family of ship figurehead carvers, or it could have been made for architectural adornment in the late 18th century. But what’s true, what’s mere conjecture, and why is it part of the MFA’s folk art collection? Trace the sculpture’s journey, beginning in the 18th century, with details of Liberty’s possible origins, and ending in the late-20th century, when it was collected by the Museum as American folk art.
Elizabeth Driscoll Smith, Joyce Linde Assistant Curator of Folk and Self-Taught Arts, Art of the Americas
Course Packages
Purchase a ticket package for the full eight-session “America at 250: Expanding the American Story Through Art” course. Please note that this option is not available after the date of the first session.
Assistive listening system
Wheelchair accessible
Ticket Information
To order tickets by phone, call 1-800-440-6975 ($6 processing fee applies); to order in person, visit any MFA ticket desk.
Livestream Tickets
The livestream ticket gives access to a live feed of the event that can be watched remotely. You must be logged in to the account used to purchase the ticket in order to access the livestream on the Video Content page. Please log in at least 5 minutes before the start of the event to test your connection.
Livestream ticket holders must watch the event live; there is no recording of the event available for viewing at a later time.
Bag Checks
All bags are subject to inspection by Museum staff. Backpacks, large bags, all liquids including hand sanitizer and sunscreen, and outside food or drink are not permitted. Exceptions are made for medical or religious needs. All bags are strongly discouraged, and any bags larger than 11” x 15” must be checked in the Coat Room upon entry. Read our full bag check policy.