L'Entré triumphale des Troupes royales a Nouvelle Yorck – Der Einzug der Königlichen Volcker in Neu Yorck (The Triumphal Entry of Royal Troops into New York)
We here witness British troops marching into New York on September 15, 1776, two months after the ratification of the Declaration of Independence. Instead of describing the Anglo-Dutch character of the city, the German designer Habermann lined the streets with buildings that look Central European. First published in Augusburg, the print comes from a series reissued in Paris that focused on Revolutionary-era New York. Brightly hand-colored panoramic compositions like this were known as Perspective Prints in Britain, Vues d'optique in France and Guckkastenbilder or Perspektivansichten in Germany. Their imaginative visual reportage was often viewed through a perspective glass, or zograscope, whose concave lens and mirror reverses the scene and enhances its three-dimensionality.
At this early stage of the war, two and a half months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Washington's Continental Army had been twice defeated by superior British forces at the Battles of Long Island and Brooklyn Heights. Realizing he could not hold New York City, Washington moved his troops north to Harlem then evacuated the island entirely by mid-November. The British retained control until after the Treaty of Versailles was ratified in November 1783. European viewers of this image in 1776 undoubtedly thought that the Americans had little chance of overcoming British military might.
At this early stage of the war, two and a half months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Washington's Continental Army had been twice defeated by superior British forces at the Battles of Long Island and Brooklyn Heights. Realizing he could not hold New York City, Washington moved his troops north to Harlem then evacuated the island entirely by mid-November. The British retained control until after the Treaty of Versailles was ratified in November 1783. European viewers of this image in 1776 undoubtedly thought that the Americans had little chance of overcoming British military might.
Artwork Details
- Title: L'Entré triumphale des Troupes royales a Nouvelle Yorck – Der Einzug der Königlichen Volcker in Neu Yorck (The Triumphal Entry of Royal Troops into New York)
- Engraver: Anonymous, French, 18th century
- Artist: After Franz Xavier Habermann (German, Habelschwerdt, Glatz 1721–1796 Augsburg)
- Publisher: Jacques François Chereau (French, Paris 1742–1794 Paris)
- Date: ca. 1776
- Medium: Hand-colored etching and engraving
- Dimensions: Image: 8 1/4 × 14 3/4 in. (21 × 37.5 cm)
Plate: 10 1/16 × 15 1/2 in. (25.5 × 39.3 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of William H. Huntington, 1883
- Object Number: 83.2.232
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Anonymous, French, 18th century
18th century
Anonymous, French, 18th century
Pierre Adrien Pâris
n.d.
Anonymous, French, 18th century
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
1778
Anonymous, French, 18th century
1784
Multiple artists/makers
18th century
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.