The artwork titled “The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor” was created by Currier and Ives in 1846. It belongs to the Romanticism art movement and falls under the genre of history painting.
The artwork vividly illustrates the historic event known as the Boston Tea Party, which took place in 1773. The scene captures the dramatic moment when American colonists, some disguised as Native Americans, boarded British ships and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor as an act of protest against the Tea Act imposed by Britain. In the foreground, men in colonial attire, raising their arms defiantly, are seen actively participating in the destruction, while a large crowd gathers on the dock, witnessing the act. The ships are anchored in the harbor, and crates of tea are visibly being thrown overboard, with some floating in the water. The building on the left side of the artwork and the surrounding onlookers emphasize the collective nature of this rebellious action. The use of color and movement within the piece reflects the Romantics’ emphasis on emotion and the sublime.