J.P. Fisk (Boston ac. late 19th century) Painting of the "Union Wadding Co." Fire Pawtucket Rhode Island 1870

J. P. Fisk, (Boston, ac. late 19th century), Painting of the "Union Wadding Co." Fire, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, 1870 , signed "J.P. Fisk Boston" in the lower left, this manufactory near the railroad produced cotton wadding and batting and suffered one of Pawtucket, Rhode Island's, most destructive fires on September 10, 1870, which was sketched by railroad commuter and eyewitness, J.P. Fisk, the artist whose work carefully and accurately records the position of the buildings, the steamers, the firemen, the passing railroad trains, the churches and dwellings in the distance, as well as the onlookers in meticulous detail, against the backdrop of Pawtucket's skyline lit by the fire's orange glow, 51 1/2 x 73 3/4 in., framed (sight) Condition: Relined, laid down, varnished, replaced 3 in. frame. Note: According to the Providence Daily Journal's contemporary account in the Sept. 10, 1870, issue: "The mill of the Union Wadding Company in Pawtucket was destroyed by fire, last night with all the machinery and stock in process of manufacture, making a total loss from $150,000 to $200,000...the watchman...found the new dye room at the south end of the building to be on fire. He gave the alarm which does not appear however to have been communicated with much alertness and by the time the engines were all on the ground, the fire had gained considerable headway and was running along inside the whole length of the building. Rough and Ready Company were first on the ground. Wate Read more…