The Chinese Bridge on Fire,on the night of the celebration of the glorious Peace of 1814.
Published & Sold Aug.t 12th 1814, by Edw.d Orme, Bond St. London.
Coloured mezzotint, prepared as a transparency. 180 x 125mm (7 x 5"), Narrow margins, some staining.
On 1st August 1814 a series of events celebrating both the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the centenary of Hanoverian rule in England. In St James's Park a Chinese bridge with a pagoda was built over the lake; in Green Park a revolving Temple of Concord was constructed by Sir William Congreve (of rocket fame); and in Hyde Park naval battles with miniature frigates were fought (the 'Nile' and 'Trafalgar' against the French and a third against the Americans, a reminder that Britain was still fighting the War of 1812). The battles were successful events: however the pagoda in St James's Park was set alight by fireworks, killing one and injuring another; and the balloon ascent, by James Sadler (1753-1828, the first English balloonist) did not go as planned and he had to make an emergency landing. This print has been treated with oil and colour on the reverse to create more vivid colours when held up to a light.
[Ref: 53152] £190.00
Coloured mezzotint, prepared as a transparency. 180 x 125mm (7 x 5"), Narrow margins, some staining.
On 1st August 1814 a series of events celebrating both the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the centenary of Hanoverian rule in England. In St James's Park a Chinese bridge with a pagoda was built over the lake; in Green Park a revolving Temple of Concord was constructed by Sir William Congreve (of rocket fame); and in Hyde Park naval battles with miniature frigates were fought (the 'Nile' and 'Trafalgar' against the French and a third against the Americans, a reminder that Britain was still fighting the War of 1812). The battles were successful events: however the pagoda in St James's Park was set alight by fireworks, killing one and injuring another; and the balloon ascent, by James Sadler (1753-1828, the first English balloonist) did not go as planned and he had to make an emergency landing. This print has been treated with oil and colour on the reverse to create more vivid colours when held up to a light.
[Ref: 53152] £190.00