All on Fire, or the Doctors Disappointed, A View Taken in Lord Foley's Garden, September 29, 1784

Anonymous, British, 18th century British

Publisher E. Wyatt British

October 20, 1784

Not on view

Early aeronautic experiments were risky. This hand colored etching portrays an early failed English attempt at human flight made on September 29, 1784 in Portland Place, London. Sponsored by Dr. John Sheldon, a huge balloon was built by the London umbrella maker, Allen Keegan. Unfortunately, it caught fire while being filled with smoke and hot air, disappointing the numerous spectators and its intended passenger, the French aeronaut Blanchard. A few weeks later, on October 15th, Vincent Lunardi, secretary to the Neopolitan ambassador, became England's first aerial traveler.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: All on Fire, or the Doctors Disappointed, A View Taken in Lord Foley's Garden, September 29, 1784
Artist: Anonymous, British, 18th century
Publisher: E. Wyatt (London)
Date: October 20, 1784
Medium: Etching and mezzotint, hand colored
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Gift of Paul Bird Jr., 1962
Object Number: 62.696.52
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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