Self-government Cheese

Artist Troy Landwehr has turned America's Founding Fathers into a bunch of cheeseheads. Not surprising, considering that Landwehr is from Wisconsin. He owns the Kerrigan Brothers Winery in Appleton, and does cheese carving on the side (depending on his politics, he may be the ultimate wine-and-cheese liberal).

Landwehr's latest creation is a rendering, carved from a 2,000-lb. cheddar wheel, of the famous John Trumbull painting “Declaration of Independence,” which depicts the Founding Fathers in full founding fathering mode on July 4th, 1776. Trumbull's painting hangs in the U.S. Capitol and is reproduced on the back of $2 bills.

“Declaration of Independence” is a considerable step up in intricacy from Landwehr's previous cheeseworks. Last year, he produced carvings of Mount Rushmore, where he only had to worry about four figures, and only their heads at that. In Trumbull's painting, there are dozens, including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock.

Landwehr's opus is sponsored by Kellogg's as part of a promotion for the company's Cheez-It crackers. It made an appearance on Good Morning America and was on display in Independence Hall in Philadelphia before returning to Wisconsin to be exhibited in Landwehr's wine shop. Ultimately, it will be cut up and sent to food pantries to feed the hungry.

Wonder who'll get Jefferson…