REPRESENTATION DU FEU TERRIBLE A NOUVELLE YORCK

Dateca. 1778

Engraver Francois Xavier Habermann

OriginEurope, Germany, Augsburg

MediumBlack and white line engraving with period hand color

DimensionsOH: 11 3/4" x OW: 16 1/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1975-70

DescriptionUpper margin reads: "Collection des Prospects./ (reversed would read: REPRESENTATION DU FEU TERRIBLE A NOUVELLE YORCK.)"
Lower margin reads: "Gravé par Francoiz Xav. Habermann/ Schröckenvolle Feursbrunst welche zu Neu Yorck von denen Americanern in/ der Nacht vom 19. Herbst Monath 1776. angleget worden wodurch alle/ Gebäude auf der West Seite der nuen Börse lämgst der Brookstrent bys an/ das Königs Kollegau mehr als 1600. Häuser, die Dreyfaltigkeuts Kirche, die/ Lutherische Kappelle u. die armen Schule in Asche verwandelt worden./ Representation du Feu terrible a Nouvelle Yorck que les Americains ont al/ lumé pendent la Nuit du 19. Septembre 1776 par le quel ont été brules, tous/ les Batiments du Coté de Vest, a droite de Börse dans la Rue de/ Broock jusqu'au College du Roi et plus que 1600 Maisons avec l'Eglise/ de la S.te Trinité la Chapelle Luteriene et L'Ecole des pauvres."
Label TextAttributed to Frenchman André Basset, this print provides a fictional representation of the Great Fire of New York that occurred September 20-21, 1776, less than a week after the British entered the city. Flames and smoke stream from a row of houses as chaos reigns in the streets. Armed soldiers beat civilians, while African slaves carry trunks of goods from looted houses. The fire destroyed 10 to 25% of the city. Although British and Americans blamed one another, no charges were brought against either side.
On this example, windows, doors, and the flames have been cut out using a knife and decorative punches. The colored paper pasted to the back of the print was thin enough to allow light to pass through the holes. The flicker of a candle made the blaze come to life for the viewer.