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Catalogue Entry
Drawn by Wm. H. Wentworth from an original sketch, taken by Thos H. Wentworth who was a witness of the scene, F.H. Lane del., Lithographed at Thos Moore's Establishment, Boston (late Pendleton's)
- Boston Athenaeum (inv. 423)Boston Athenaeum (inv. 423)
- Library and Archives Canada (inv. 746)Library and Archives Canada (inv. 746)
- Library of Congress (inv. 708)Library of Congress (inv. 708)
This hand-colored lithograph shows the Great Conflagration that ravaged the commercial and waterfront district of Saint John, New Brunswick, in January 1837. The print is an excellent example of the collaborative nature of commercial lithography during Fitz Henry Lane’s lifetime.
The scene was first sketched by Thomas H. Wentworth, an itinerant portrait and landscape artist who also made engravings of his own work. His son, William Henry Wentworth, refined the sketch which was then made available to Lane who refined it still further in preparation for printing. Thomas Moore copyrighted the print in 1838, suggesting that he was the publisher. The scene is a dramatic one filled with people looking on, household furnishings salvaged from the flames piled in the foreground and billowing clouds of smoke and flames filling the sky. The intended audience for the lithograph was probably the residents of Saint John.
- Subject Types
: - Seasons / Weather
: - Moon »
- Other Locales
: - Animals & People
: - Objects
: - Building Types
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Historical Materials
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English-born Thomas Moore was the successor to William S. Pendleton's lithography shop in 1836. Prior to this changing of hands, Moore worked in Pendleton's shop for years as a clerk and bookkeeper. During his four years (1836-40) at Pendleton's 204 Washington Street address, he had under his employ many famous artists, including F.H. Lane, Robert Cooke, and Benjamin Champney. Moore's Lithography printed the usual variety of work, including portraits, town views, public institutions, maps, plans, certificates, cards, etc. In 1840, Moore sold his Boston shop to B. W. Thayer, ending his lithographic career in Boston.
This information has been summarized from Boston Lithography 1825-1880 by Sally Pierce and Catharina Slautterback.
T. Moore's Lithography, Boston
12 1/2 x 9 1/2 in.
20 x 16 3/4 in (Framed)
Cape Ann Museum, Museum Purchase (2014.089.2)
Also filed under: Cod / Cod Fishing » // Johnston, David Claypoole » // Sheet Music by other artists »
Boston Athenaeum (inv. 423)
Library and Archives Canada (inv. 746)
Library of Congress (inv. 708)
