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Discharging the Pilot

After Charles Parsons American
Publisher Lithographed and published by Nathaniel Currier American
1856
Not on view
Marine views and other pictures of ships at sea have long appealed to collectors and popular taste. 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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Discharging the Pilot
  • Artist: After Charles Parsons (American (born England), Hampshire 1821–1910 New York)
  • Publisher: Lithographed and published by Nathaniel Currier (American, Roxbury, Massachusetts 1813–1888 New York)
  • Date: 1856
  • Medium: Hand-colored lithograph
  • Dimensions: Image: 16 in. × 24 1/8 in. (40.6 × 61.2 cm)
    Image (with text): 17 1/8 × 24 1/8 in. (43.5 × 61.2 cm)
    Sheet: 21 5/16 × 27 9/16 in. (54.2 × 70 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Adele S. Colgate, 1962
  • Object Number: 63.550.59
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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