A View of the Public Fire Works Exhibited on Occasion of the General Peace concluded October 7th 1748

Details

Believed to be Robert Sayer, Publisher
A View of the Public Fire Works Exhibited on Occasion of the General Peace concluded October 7th 1748
mezzotint on laid paper, with margins
unframed
S. 11 5/8 x 18¼in. (29.5 x 46.4cm.)
with a mezzotint by Bernard Lens II of the Representation of the Fire-Workes in St James's Square on the Joyful Occasion of His Majesties Glorious success in taking of Namur Sept 9 1695
unframed
S. 10¾ x 14 5/8in. (27.3 x 37.8cm.) (2)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The Fireworks Music, Handel's last orchestral work, was commissioned to celebrate the end of the War of the Austrian Succession and the signing of the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1748. All of Europe celebrated the peace with fireworks, and the King commissioned Handel to write a grand piece for the occasion to provide a background for the firework display designed by Thomas Desguliers. The celebration took place in Green Park and was deliberately held near the royal residence of Buckingham House so as to present the King in a better light. The rejoicings, however, were very nearly changed into lamentations. The construction caught fire, and His Majesty's library had a narrow escape from being burnt down.

More from British Mezzotints & Printed Hankerchiefs, Part II, from the collection of the Honourable Christopher Lennox-Boyd

View All