Windsor Castle from the Lower Court on the Fifth of November—Fireworks

Description

While Paul Sandby produced many views of Windsor Castle in various media throughout his career, this scene of the celebration of Guy Fawkes Night is particularly notable for its concentration on the townspeople and their festivities, elements that usually appear as minor details in his works. Guy Fawkes Night, also called Bonfire Night, is a celebration of the Gunpowder Plot of November 5, 1605, in which Catholic conspirators allegedly attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. The red tone of the ink gives the bonfire scene additional warmth while emphasizing the white plumes of smoke trailing from the fireworks.

Windsor Castle from the Lower Court on the Fifth of November—Fireworks

Paul Sandby

1776

Accession Number

129597

Medium

Aquatint, with etching, in brown on ivory laid paper

Dimensions

Image: 29.6 × 46.4 cm (11 11/16 × 18 5/16 in.); Sheet: 31.4 × 47.4 cm (12 3/8 × 18 11/16 in.)

Classification

aquatint

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Dorothy Braude Edinburg to the Harry B. and Bessie K. Braude Memorial Collection