Print from an unfinished plate by Philadelphia engraver Alexander Lawson, after the 1815 painting (owned by the engraver) titled "Election Scene. State House in Philadelphia" by his friend and genre painter, John Lewis Krimmel that was exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Exhibition of 1816. Depicts the rowdy immoral atmosphere during the afternoon of a Philadelphia election at the State House on Chestnut Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets. Voters arrive, complete and switch votes, and block the polls as politicians and campaigners, including former mayor John Barker, lobby for votes and engage in debate. A band and patriotic float parade down the street; a tavern quarrel occurs; two young African Americans attempt to rob a distracted woman peddler; an oyster vendor does a brisk business; and mothers and couples stroll and children play. Flags are displayed on the buildings, including Peale's Museum., Title from duplicate print at Henry Francis Dupont Winterthur Museum., Plate deposited by artist's daughter at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1887 from which 42 prints were produced between 1888 and 1904., Anneliese Harding's John Lewis Krimmel. Genre artist of the early republic (Winterthur, Delaware: The Henry Francis Dupont Winterthur Museum, 1997), p. 83-90., Milo Naeve's John Lewis Krimmel: An artist in federal America (Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1987), p. 118-119., LCP exhibition catalogue: Made in America,, Accessioned 1992., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Creator
Lawson, Alexander, 1773-1846, engraver
Date
[ca. 1894]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department ***PhPr-Gov't Buildings-Independence Hall [P.9380]
