Skip to main content

Pulling down the statue of George III: "By the Sons of Freedom." At the Bowling Green City of New York, July 1776

View
@ The Library Company of Philadelphia

McRae, John C

Description

Print commemorating American independence after the painting by religious and historical artist, Johannes A. Oertelat, at the New York Historical Society. Depicts white men attempting to topple the equestrian statue of King George following the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the foot of Broadway. At the base, men pull on ropes wrapped around the sculpture while men from behind use rods to knock it over. In front of the pedestal, an African American man has fallen over on the ground. An excited crowd of spectators, including well-to-do and working class men, women, and children cheer, point, hold torches and mallets, and trample upon the broken fence once surrounding the statue. In the left is a Native American man attired in a feather headdress and carrying a spear. Several dogs run in the foreground. In the background, ships in New York harbor are visible.; Painted by Johannes A. Oertel ; engraved by John C. MacRae.

Record Contributed By

The Library Company of Philadelphia

Record Harvested From

PA Digital