Oertel, Joannes A. “Pulling Down The Statue Of George III. By The ‘Sons of Freedom.’ At the Bowling Green City of New York July 1776"

Joannes A. Oertel.  “Pulling Down The Statue Of George III.  By The ‘Sons of Freedom.’  At the Bowling Green City of New York July 1776.” 

New York: John C. McRae, [1859].  20 1/4 x 30 1/2 (image).  Engraving by J.C. McRae.  Strong strike.  Very good to excellent condition.  

A dramatic colonial scene made by New York printmaker, John C. McRae.  McRae produced large, uncolored engravings of historical scenes in the mid-nineteenth century and this is one of his most elaborate.   It shows the “Sons of Freedom” tearing down the statue of King George on July 9, 1776.  An equestrian statue of the British monarch had been erected on the Bowling Green in New York City in1770 and when news of the Declaration of Independence arrived a crowd gathered to tear done this symbol of the British crown.  The scene, as recreated by McRae, shows a crowd of well dressed Americans gathering for this partisan escapade and even includes a Native America in full war dress, a spectator who was just a figment of McRae’s imagination.  A stirring patriotic image.