ticketsMember | Make a donation

The Boston Massacre, or, The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street, Boston on March 5, 1770 by a party of the 29th Regiment

Artist and publisher Engraved, printed and sold by Paul Revere Jr. American
After Henry Pelham American
1770
Not on view
The Bostonian silversmith-engraver Revere made this print in response to a violent confrontation between local residents and British troops on March 5, 1770. With two thousand soldiers billeted in the city to enforce the collection of taxes on imported goods such as tea, tensions grew and skirmishes became commonplace. On the night in question, Americans threw stones and ice balls at a lone guard stationed outside the Custom House. Reinforcements were called, a tense standoff ensued, and rifles eventually fired. Crispus Attucks, a multiracial dockworker shown here in the foreground, was among the five fallen Americans. Issued on March 26, Revere’s image casts the British as instigators and callous executioners. Often copied and widely distributed, it helped push the colony toward revolution.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Boston Massacre, or, The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street, Boston on March 5, 1770 by a party of the 29th Regiment
  • Artist and publisher: Engraved, printed and sold by Paul Revere Jr. (American, Boston, Massachusetts 1734–1818 Boston, Massachusetts)
  • Artist: After Henry Pelham (American, Boston, Massachusetts 1749–1806 Dublin)
  • Date: 1770
  • Medium: Hand-colored engraving and etching; second state
  • Dimensions: Image: 10 1/4 × 9 1/8 in. (26 × 23.2 cm)
    Sheet: 11 in. × 9 9/16 in. (27.9 × 24.3 cm)
    Frame: 21 × 16 in. (53.3 × 40.6 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1910
  • Object Number: 10.125.103
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Paul Revere's Autograph, Paul Revere Jr. American, Ink on paper, American
Paul Revere's Autograph
Paul Revere Jr.
1745–1818
Shoe Buckle, Paul Revere Jr. American, Silver plate on copper, American
Shoe Buckle
Paul Revere Jr.
1770–1800
A Short Narrative of the Horrid Massacre in Boston, Perpetrated in the Evening of the Fifth Day of March 1770, by Soldiers of the XXIXth Regiment...
Paul Revere Jr.
E. & C. Dilly & J. Almon
1770
Spur, Paul Revere Jr. American, Silver, American
Spur
Paul Revere Jr.
1770–1800
Spur, Paul Revere Jr. American, Silver, American
Spur
Paul Revere Jr.
1770–1800

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.