The artwork titled “Awful Explosion of the ‘Peace-Maker’ on board the U.S. Steam Frigate Princeton on Wednesday, Feb 28, 1844,” created by Currier and Ives in 1844, falls under the Romanticism art movement and is classified in the marina genre.
The artwork vividly depicts a historical maritime tragedy that occurred on the U.S. Steam Frigate Princeton. The scene captures the violent explosion of a cannon named the “Peace-Maker,” marked by chaos and devastation. Officers and civilians are portrayed reactively in various states of alarm and horror, grappling with the unexpected disaster. The explosion is emphasized by billowing smoke, flying debris, and the dramatic postures of the figures, highlighting the peril of the moment. The use of color and composition focuses the viewer’s attention on the tragic event, evoking the intense emotions and dramatic essence typical of the Romanticism movement.