Artwork
The Burning of the Theatre in Richmond, Virginia
The Burning of the Theatre in Richmond, Virginia is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Benjamin Tanner. It dates from 1812 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left support in graphite by unknown hand: T13153; lower right support in graphite by unknown hand: RLH # 1146 / 85.00 text at bottom in plate: The Burning of the Theatre in Richmond, Virginia, on the Night of the 26th. December 1811, / By which awful Calamity, upwards of One Hundred of its most valuable Citizens suddenly lost their lives, and many others, were much injured. / Published Feby. 25th. 1812 by B. Tanner. No. 74 South 8th. St. Philadelphia.
About this work
Overview
The Burning of the Theatre in Richmond, Virginia is a hand-colored etching and aquatint print created by Benjamin Tanner in 1812.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic nighttime scene of a theater engulfed in flames, with people fleeing, carrying injured individuals, and escaping through windows. The title confirms the scene is based on a real event, capturing the danger and drama of the disaster.
Technique & Style
Tanner employed etching and aquatint techniques to create the image, which is enhanced with hand-coloring. The combination of dark and bright colors conveys the intensity of the scene, with the fire illuminating the sky and smoke billowing over the crowd.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
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