Items Similar to Purvis Young, Saint of the Freedom Horses, c. 1980s
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Purvis Young, Saint of the Freedom Horses, c. 1980s
About the Item
Purvis Young, Saint of the Freedom Horses, c. 1980s
Paint on Found Wood, 23" H x 4.5" W x 0.5" D
Titled Saint of the Freedom Horses, this expressive vertical painting by Purvis Young exemplifies the artist’s singular ability to merge raw materiality with spiritual symbolism. Painted on a narrow, weathered wood plank, the composition is dominated by a bold, central form rendered in gestural black and red strokes. A red arch or halo crowns the top of the figure—a recurring emblem in Young’s visual vocabulary, used to suggest sanctity, divine protection, or spiritual elevation. The solemn verticality of the central form evokes a saint-like figure or ancestral guardian, channeling both monumentality and human vulnerability.
Near the base of the composition, loosely articulated figures and horses begin to emerge from the painterly field. These “freedom horses,” as they are often called in discussions of Young’s work, are a potent symbol of liberation, resistance, and spiritual transcendence—metaphors for the souls of the overlooked and the restless search for dignity and escape. Their movement breathes life into the otherwise still contemplative figure above, creating a dynamic interplay between stillness and motion and earth and spirit.
The artist’s name, boldly inscribed as “Young” at the top left, affirms the work’s authenticity and aligns with his well-documented practice of signing directly onto found materials. Created amid the charged streets of Overtown, Miami, this piece distills the essence of Young’s vision—spontaneous, symbolic, and deeply rooted in the realities of urban struggle. Saint of the Freedom Horses stands as both a devotional object and a statement of resilience, rendered in the unmistakable hand of one of America’s most celebrated self-taught artists.
- Creator:Purvis Young (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Depth: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: T32261stDibs: LU2592345048352
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1996
1stDibs seller since 2017
1,352 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: West Palm Beach, FL
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View All'Freedom Warriors on Horseback' by Purvis Young
By Purvis Young
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
'Freedom Warriors on Horseback' by Purvis Young
USA, circa 1980s
Purvis Young,'Freedom Warriors on Horseback, a large work painted on air handler...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings
Materials
Metal
$7,600 Sale Price
20% Off
'Prisoners' by Purvis Young
By Purvis Young
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Purvis Young (1943-2010) 'Prisoners' 20th Century
Boldly signed at the top 'Young'
A thought-provoking world of 'Prisoners' by Purvis Young (1943-2010), a captivating work that re...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings
Materials
Wood
$3,160 Sale Price
20% Off
JFK MLK RFK- NO MORE DREAMS, Purvis Young
By Purvis Young
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
JFK MLK RFK- NO MORE DREAMS
Purvis Young (1989-1999)
A moving mourning work, depicting a funeral procession of John F. Kennedy, Martin L. King and Robert F. Kennedy.
Painted ...
Category
20th Century North American Modern Outsider and Self Taught Art
Materials
Metal
$12,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Purvis Young (1989–1999) 'Dancing Figures' on Panel, Larger
By Purvis Young
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Purvis Young (1989–1999), 'Dancing Figures' on Panel, Larger
USA, circa 1980s
"Dancing Figures" Larger (at the time of posting, we have similar smaller work, LU2592339807422) by Pur...
Category
20th Century American Modern Paintings
Materials
Scrap Wood
$1,116 Sale Price
20% Off
Purvis Young (1943-2010) 'Fire Dancers' 20th Century
By Purvis Young
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Purvis Young (1943–2010): 'Fire Dancers' 20th Century
USA, circa 1980s
'Fire Dancers', circa 1980s, is a compelling oil painting by the celebrated American artist Purvis Young (1943–...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings
Materials
Glass, Lacquer, Paper
$1,920 Sale Price
20% Off
Bustamante School, Surrealist Painting Women in Landscape, Mexico C. 1980s
By Sergio Bustamante
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bustamante School, Surrealist Painting Women in Landscape, Mexico C. 1980s
This captivating Surrealist oil painting, of the Bustamante School, was painted in Mexico circa the 1980s...
Category
20th Century Mexican Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
You May Also Like
Untitled, Purvis Young Mixed-Media Painting, 1980s
By Purvis Young
Located in Miami, FL
Abstract mixed-media work by artist Purvis Young. Folk Art portraying bleeding and pregnant figures in a crowd, policemen on horseback and large blue eyes. Young used eyes as symbols...
Category
Vintage 1980s American Folk Art Paintings
Materials
Paint, Reclaimed Wood, Canvas, Paper
Purvis Young (1943-2010) "Sailing to Freedom" Painting, 1999
By Purvis Young
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Purvis Young (1943-2010) "Sailing to Freedom" Painting, 1999
Includes signed COA document from Patrick T. and Just A. Parker indicating the painting was acquired directly from the a...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Wood, Paint, Paper
Purvis Young Oil on Linen
By Purvis Young
Located in North Miami, FL
Depiction of horses by acclaimed Miami street artist Purvis Young.
Gustavo Olivieri sourced directly from Mr. Young while he was alive and enjoyed watching him work - see detail ima...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings
Materials
Linen
Massive Purvis Young Acrylic on Plywood
By Purvis Young
Located in Miami, FL
Massive Purvis Young acrylic on scavenged plywood
By self-taught Miami-born artist Purvis Young (1943-2010), a very large size painting on scavenged plywood. Purvis Young painted por...
Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Plywood
Purvis Young (1943-2010) Abstract Painting, ca 1990s
By Purvis Young
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Purvis Young (1943-2010) Abstract Painting, ca 1990s
Includes paper attesting to this work being part of the "American Salvage Find" where numeroius work presumed to be Purvis Young...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Wood, Paint
Vintage Purvis Young Abstract Paint on Wood
By Purvis Young
Located in west palm beach, FL
This Vintage Purvis Young painting is a unique abstract painted on wood. The yellow camel like beings surrounded by soft colored cityscape and seemingly randomized abstract shapes ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Paintings
Materials
Wood, Paint
