c. 1821-1822
Description
This engraving embodies the pride of a group of Philadelphia's tradesmen, its butchers. The composition is after a painting by John Lewis Krimmel, which reinforces contemporary accounts describing him as the "American Hogarth." The butchers, dressed in their regalia, process through the streets. At the fair's conclusion, most of the animals were slaughtered and more than 86,000 pounds of beef, pork, lamb, and even bear meat, were harvested. Today, this image is heralded as a masterpiece among nineteenth-century American prints, testifying to Philadelphia's economic successes, as well as the compassion the city demonstrated for its less fortunate citizens as manifested in the seal and motto in the title line, "We feed the hungry."
Additional Makers: after John Lewis Krimmel (American, born Germany, 1789–1821)
Descriptive Medium: Aquatint, etching and watercolor on laid paper
Image Licence
Public Domain
Image Credit
Courtesy of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Location
Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, USA
Country
USA
Medium
Print
Tags
Category
Buildings & Architecture
