|
|
Francois X. Habermann: La Destruction de la Statue royale a Nouvelle Yorck
Title: La Destruction de la Statue royale a Nouvelle Yorck Map Maker: Francois X. Habermann
Description: Famous Revolutionary War vue optique print, depicting the Sons of Liberty tearing down a statue of King Georg III at Bowling Green. The image is intended to depict the events of July 10, 1776, following the first reading of the Declaration of Independence, when a group of inspired patriots tore down the statute of King George in Bowling Green. The view provides an interesting Anglo-centric image of the costumes and citizenry of the inhabitants of New York City. A statue of the King had been erected on the Bowling Green after the repeal of the Stamp Act . . . in the excitement engendered by the Declaration of Independence and its adoption by the Provincial Congress of New York on 9 July 1776 the royal statue was pulled down. The statue of the Earl of Chatham, a strong advocate of reconciliation, was not touched. This destruction was both a gesture of patriotic triumph and one of defiance, in a city politically divided and threatened with occupation. British Library, War of Independence #97. Condition Description: Minor soiling. References: British Library, War of American Independence, 97; cf. Cresswell 263; Christopher Pierce, "Practicing Peeping! New Notes and Comments on the Collection des Prospects of New York City," Imprint 32 (2007), pp. 10-24.
Related Categories:
|
||||||||||
