Salt Petre (1774) by Paul Revere

Salt Petre - Paul Revere - 1774

Artwork Information

TitleSalt Petre
ArtistPaul Revere
Date1774
Art MovementRococo

About Salt Petre

The artwork, entitled “Salt Petre,” was created by Paul Revere in 1774. This piece belongs to the Rococo art movement and is classified under the genre of genre painting. Depicting the method of refining saltpetre, the artwork offers a glimpse into an industrial process of the 18th century.

In the artwork, two figures are engaged in the detailed and meticulous process of refining saltpetre, an essential component used in gunpowder production. The setting appears to be a wooden workshop, characterized by its utilitarian nature and methodically arranged tools and materials. The figures are dressed in period-appropriate attire, suggesting the historical context of the scene. The composition emphasizes the manual labor involved, with one figure actively stirring a container, while the other seems to be overseeing or possibly assisting in the process. The woodcut style of the engraving provides a textured and detailed depiction, highlighting the intricate workmanship both in the art and the depicted process. The attention to the architectural elements of the structure and the realistic portrayal of the figures contribute to the genre painting’s aim to provide a snapshot of everyday life and labor during that period.

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