Artist/Maker

Hill, John __Engraver ||Shaw, Joshua __After

Place Made

Date Made

1820-1821

Medium

ink and watercolor on paper

Dimensions

HOA: 9 3/4″; WOA: 13 3/8″

Accession Number

2057

Description

This print is based on a painting or drawing by the artist Joshua Shaw. Born in England in 1777, Shaw came to Philadelphia in 1817. During his trip he traveled throughout the South making sketches and taking subscription for the series of American views.

This image depicts the “Great Savannah Fire.” The fire occured on January 11, 1820. When the fire reached Ellis Square it touched off gunpowder stored there, spreading the fire throughout the city. The fire destroyed most of the downtown area.

RELATED WORKS: From the same series: “Bolling’s Dam” (MESDA 2081.1), “Lynnhaven Bay” (MESDA 2279.1), “Spirit Creek” (MESDA 2279.2), “Norfolk, From Gosport Virginia” (MESDA 2279.3), “Spirit Creek” (MESDA 3045), “Jones Falls” (MESDA 3227)

History

This print originally appeared in the book “Picturesque Views of American Scenery” published by M. Carey & Son, Philadelphia, 1820-1821.

Credit Line

Purchase Fund