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Lot Essay
This cyclorama depicts a myriad of scenes presenting the progression of modern life from the earliest days of American civilization to the advent of technology. A combination of prints, some embellished with watercolor and ink, this elaborate piece most likely served a multitude of purposes. While cycloramas are typically used for entertainment and a medium in which to capture a series of historical events, this particular work may have been an early form of a home-made coloring book or paint-by-numbers art-related teaching tool. One of the panels features a printed image of Paul Revere's Boston Massacre of 1770, and several names of Boston printmaking firms appear with printed illustrations throughout the piece, suggesting that the artist was most likely working in Massachusetts. It is interesting to note that all of the firms listed were in operation in the Boston area during the late nineteenth century as well as involved in producing illustrations for children's publications.
Russell & Richardson was formed around 1868 by Stephen S.C. Russell and John F. Richardson, engravers of several illustrations for children's books, many with religious themes, their advertisements and services listed: "Designers and Engravers on Wood" and "Fine Book Illustrations, All Kinds of Commercial Work, Buildings, Machinery, Landscapes, Portraits, Labels, Plates, for Color Printing, etc." In 1903, the firm was purchased by Charles G. Dunbar and Fred S.H. Orcutt. Established in the 1850's, Kilburn & Mallory was run by Samuel S. Kilburn, Jr. and Richard P. Mallory, who were both successful wood-engravers with prior work experience at two of the most well-known Boston illustrated newspapers of the time, Gleason's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion and Ballou's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion. Andrew Filmer, organized by partners John Andrew and John Filmer, is listed in the Boston Directory from only 1858-1860; however, several books crediting illustrations to the company Andrew-Filmer appear between 1858-1874. The firm of Taylor Boston most likely refers to a man named James L. Taylor, who was a Massachusetts artist also working as a wood-engraver in Boston from 1850-1880.
Interest in cycloramas began in Boston in 1878, when Henri Philippoteaux presented the "Seige of Paris," and a few years later the Cyclorama Boston Center for the Arts was built. It would seem likely that this work was completed during the boom of the forms popularity in the Boston area. A similar piece titled "Allegory of Life" was sold at Christie's, New York, January 20, 2001.
Russell & Richardson was formed around 1868 by Stephen S.C. Russell and John F. Richardson, engravers of several illustrations for children's books, many with religious themes, their advertisements and services listed: "Designers and Engravers on Wood" and "Fine Book Illustrations, All Kinds of Commercial Work, Buildings, Machinery, Landscapes, Portraits, Labels, Plates, for Color Printing, etc." In 1903, the firm was purchased by Charles G. Dunbar and Fred S.H. Orcutt. Established in the 1850's, Kilburn & Mallory was run by Samuel S. Kilburn, Jr. and Richard P. Mallory, who were both successful wood-engravers with prior work experience at two of the most well-known Boston illustrated newspapers of the time, Gleason's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion and Ballou's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion. Andrew Filmer, organized by partners John Andrew and John Filmer, is listed in the Boston Directory from only 1858-1860; however, several books crediting illustrations to the company Andrew-Filmer appear between 1858-1874. The firm of Taylor Boston most likely refers to a man named James L. Taylor, who was a Massachusetts artist also working as a wood-engraver in Boston from 1850-1880.
Interest in cycloramas began in Boston in 1878, when Henri Philippoteaux presented the "Seige of Paris," and a few years later the Cyclorama Boston Center for the Arts was built. It would seem likely that this work was completed during the boom of the forms popularity in the Boston area. A similar piece titled "Allegory of Life" was sold at Christie's, New York, January 20, 2001.