Joseph Swain

Two Fire Engines

Maker

Joseph Swain (British, 1820 - 1909), engraver
After John Tenniel (British, 1820-1914)

Title

Two Fire Engines
, from *Punch*

Year

June 10, 1871

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

wood engraving

Supports

Dimensions

23.5 x 34.9 cm (9 1/4 x 13 3/4 inches) (plate) with inscription

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Captioned, LL:FRENCH-TO BE AVOIDED BY ENGLAND. ; captioned, LR:ENGLISH- TO BE BORROWED BY FRANCE.

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Anonymous gift

Object Number

77.096.1

Type

Exhibition History

Draw Me a Story
Illustration from the Permanent Collection
Apr 14, 2006 – Jul 23, 2006

Label copy

Joseph Swain, the principal engraver at Punch during the second half of the 19th century, engraved most of Tenniel’s designs. Tenniel’s blocks were composed of up to twelve pieces of wood mortised together. The pieces could be separated and distributed among different carvers in Swain’s workshop.

The subject matter of the wood engraving is the Franco-Prussian War and the end of the French Commune, presented by Tenniel in the guise of two competing and variously successful fire companies.

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Joseph Swain (British, 1820 - 1909), engraver
After John Tenniel (British, 1820-1914)
Two Fire Engines; , from *Punch*, June 10, 1871
Wood engraving on paper
23.5 x 34.9 cm (9 1/4 x 13 3/4 inches) (plate) with inscription
Anonymous gift 77.096.1

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