VIEW OF THE GREAT FIRE IN NEW-YORK, DECR. 16TH &17TH. 1835, AS SEEN FROM THE TOP OF BANK OF AMERICA, CORNER OF WALL AND WILLIAM STREETS.

Object/Artifact

-

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

VIEW OF THE GREAT FIRE IN NEW-YORK, DECR. 16TH &17TH. 1835, AS SEEN FROM THE TOP OF BANK OF AMERICA, CORNER OF WALL AND WILLIAM STREETS.

Entry/Object ID

SS.2017.4 a-b

Description

a. Oversized hand-colored landscape-oriented cityscape, showing night-time scene of massive fire, several buildings engulfed or already partially collapsed; battalions of firefighters in action, climbing ladders and spraying water; clouds of smoke and sparks/flames across sky; crescent moon at upper right; many large groups of male spectators lined up and watching, most wearing top hats and overcoats or capes; three horsedrawn carts/pumps (unclear) in mid-ground; two men (soldiers?) on horseback in foreground, right; barrels and crates stacked up in foreground; at left side, two men climbing ladder to rooftop to observe; highlights hand-colored in white paint, details of blue and red coloration; wide dark borders, with printed title CB: "VIEW OF THE GREAT FIRE OF NEW-YORK, DECR. 16TH & 17TH. 1835/ AS SEEN FROM THE TOP OF THE BANK OF AMERICA COR. OF WALL & WM. ST./ Published by L.P. CLOVER, New York"; outside of image, bottom left: "Painted by N. Calyo."; outside of image bottom right: "Engraved by W.J. Bennett."; one building is identified with a sign in the image: "FULTON FREE [FIRE?] INSURANCE COMPANY." b. Frame: Rectangular, simple molding; pale gold "liner"; wide black lacquer band; narrow worn gold outer molding; glass.

Collection

Sunnyside Object Collection

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

William James Bennett

Attribution

Engraver

Artist

Nicolino Calyo

Attribution

Artist

Manufacturer

Lewis P. Clover

Date made

1836

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Transcription

(See Description)

Other Names and Numbers

Other Number

SS.2017.4

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Frame

Height

25-1/4 in

Width

32 in

Depth

2 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 25 1/4 x 32 x 2 in. (64.1 x 81.3 x 5.1 cm)

Material

Ink on paper, watercolor paint, Wood (unknown), Gilding, Glass

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Print probably fairly darkened overall; may be mounted to canvas lining, as this is visible at back of frame; loose bits of print behind glass, indicating edges may be fragile; exterior molding of frame quite patinated/worn; some scratches to black lacquer and small losses to same.

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Mississippi Governor's Mansion

Notes

Former owner

Person or Organization

Merchants' Exchange

Notes

Subject

Related Entries

Notes

SS.2017.5 a-b - Print - Related

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

Prior to the events of September 11, 2001, the Great Fire of 1835 was the event responsible for the greatest amount of property damage in New York City. While Ebenezer Irving’s home was spared, Washington Irving lost a $3,000 investment in an insurance company that failed as a result of damage claims and the fire destroyed the financial district, including the blocks of William Street that had been Irving’s childhood neighborhood. The building with columns at the center, partially destroyed, is likely the Merchants' Exchange [Jessa J. Krick, 6/21/2019].

Note Type

General Note

Note

This object was offered to HHV by the collections manager of the Mississippi Governor's Mansion, as it was outside the scope of the MGM collection. The object was accepted into the HHV collection owing to Irving's connection to the event depicted.

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Administrative Office, Archive Room

Note Type

Department

Note

Curatorial