A Perspective View of the Building for the Fireworks in the Green Park taken from the Reservoir, London, 1814

Art Historical Context

Step into Regency London with *A Perspective View of the for the Fireworks in Green Park taken from the, London, 1814*, a captivating etching by P. Brookes and Paul Angier. Created around 1814, this print immortalizes a grand temporary structure erected in Green Park to host spectacular fireworks celebrating the Peace of Paris. This treaty marked the end of the Napoleonic' latest chapter, with Napoleon's abdication ushering in hopes of stability. From the elevated vantage of the reservoir, the view captures the ornate pavilion amid lush parklands, evoking the era's patriotic fervor and public spectacle. Etched on a trimmed plate measuring about 10 by 17 inches, the work exemplifies early 19th-century topographical printmaking, prized for documenting urban landmarks and events. Hand-coloring, likely added later, brings vivid life to the scene's architecture, crowds, and greenery, enhancing its appeal as a souvenir. Such prints were popular among Britain's growing middle class, blending technical precision with artistic flair to preserve fleeting moments of joy. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Gray Foy, 2013), this piece offers a window into London's vibrant social history, where parks transformed into stages for national triumph. Imagine the night sky ablaze— a perfect emblem of resilience and revelry.

About the Artist

P. Brookes|Paul Angier (British|French) · 1780 |1749 –1850 |1749

British, active 1814|French, active from ca. 1749