General Francis Marion, of South Carolina – In his Swamp Encampment, Inviting a British Officer to share his Dinner of Sweet Potatoes and Cold Water
This scene from the American Revolutionary War features the American military officer Francis Marion (c. 1732-1795), also known as the "Swamp Fox" (nicknamed for his success in avoiding capture by British troops in the swamps of the American South), who led the 2nd South Carolina Regiment and eventually pushed British troops out of South Carolina. In this scene, Marion (center) faces a British officer dressed in a red jacket (right) as he extends his right hand towards a small pile of sweet potatoes on a low makeshift table (left). Marion is wearing a blue jacket, white pants and leggings, and a feathered helmet. A brown horse stands behind them with its head lowered in front of a Black (African American) groom, who stands in front of a large tree (center). Behind the low table, a Black (African American) kneels as he tends the flaming campfire (lower left) in preparation for roasting the potatoes. On the ground, there is an ax, an overturned pot, a small grill, a basket, and other items. Three militia men stand behind the cook. In the left background, others are making an encampment in the clearing in front of a thicket of trees. The title is imprinted in the bottom margin. The print was produced on the occasion of the Centennial of the founding of the United States.
Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of hand-colored prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life and its history. People eagerly acquired such lithographs featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel included his younger brother Charles in the business. In 1857, James Merritt Ives (the firm's accountant since 1852 and Charles's brother-in-law) was made a business partner; subsequently renamed Currier & Ives, the firm continued until 1907.
Also see a related print depicting the same subject (Metropolitan Museum of Art accession no. 47.10.5): John Sartain after a painting by John Blake White, "General Marion in his Swamp Encampment Inviting a British Officer to Dinner" (1840-41).
Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of hand-colored prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life and its history. People eagerly acquired such lithographs featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel included his younger brother Charles in the business. In 1857, James Merritt Ives (the firm's accountant since 1852 and Charles's brother-in-law) was made a business partner; subsequently renamed Currier & Ives, the firm continued until 1907.
Also see a related print depicting the same subject (Metropolitan Museum of Art accession no. 47.10.5): John Sartain after a painting by John Blake White, "General Marion in his Swamp Encampment Inviting a British Officer to Dinner" (1840-41).
Artwork Details
- Title: General Francis Marion, of South Carolina – In his Swamp Encampment, Inviting a British Officer to share his Dinner of Sweet Potatoes and Cold Water
- Publisher: Currier & Ives (American, active New York, 1857–1907)
- Subject: Francis Marion (American, Berkeley County, South Carolina ca. 1732–1795 Berkeley County, South Carolina)
- Date: 1876
- Medium: Hand-colored lithograph
- Dimensions: Image: 8 1/2 × 12 1/2 in. (21.6 × 31.8 cm)
Image and text: 9 3/4 × 12 1/2 in. (24.8 × 31.8 cm)
Sheet: 13 5/16 × 17 7/16 in. (33.8 × 44.3 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Bequest of Adele S. Colgate, 1962
- Object Number: 63.550.465
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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