Great Conflagration at Pittsburgh (1845) by Currier and Ives

Great Conflagration at Pittsburgh - Currier and Ives - 1845

Artwork Information

TitleGreat Conflagration at Pittsburgh
ArtistCurrier and Ives
Date1845
Art MovementRomanticism

About Great Conflagration at Pittsburgh

The artwork named “Great Conflagration at Pittsburgh,” created by Currier and Ives in 1845, belongs to the Romanticism art movement and falls under the marina genre. This piece portrays a dramatic and cataclysmic fire consuming a substantial portion of Pittsburgh, viewed from the vantage point of the water.

In the artwork, a vivid and extensive blaze engulfs the cityscape on the right side, with large plumes of smoke and flames overtaking the buildings and sky. Admirably detailed boats and steamers occupy the foreground on the river, likely depicting the frantic efforts to flee from the inferno. In contrast, the left side of the scene portrays quieter, undisturbed sections of the city and surrounding landscape, with distant mountains providing a calm backdrop. The active, chaotic depiction of the fire sharply contrasts with the tranquil environment, emphasizing the Romantic fascination with nature’s power and human endeavors.

By embodying elements of human struggle against nature’s force, the artwork captures the viewer’s attention, drawing them into the dramatic narrative of the catastrophic event. Thus, this portrayal of both tranquility and terror consolidates the Romanticism movement’s enduring engagement with powerful, emotive, and sublime representations.

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