Art Institute of Chicago

Windsor Castle from the Lower Court on the Fifth of November—Fireworks

Paul Sandby

Date

1776

Medium

Aquatint, with etching, in brown on ivory laid paper

Culture

England

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

While Paul Sandby produced many views of Windsor Castle in various media throughout his career, this scene of the celebration of Guy Fawkes Night is particularly notable for its concentration on the townspeople and their festivities, elements that usually appear as minor details in his works. Guy Fawkes Night, also called Bonfire Night, is a celebration of the Gunpowder Plot of November 5, 1605, in which Catholic conspirators allegedly attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. The red tone of the ink gives the bonfire scene additional warmth while emphasizing the white plumes of smoke trailing from the fireworks.

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