"The Fate of a Treasure-Town" by Howard Pyle
|
|
Howard Pyle's "The Fate of a Treasure-Town" retells the history of Cartagena, Colombia, the heavily fortified town that served as a storage depot for gold and silver stolen and taken in forced tribute by the Spanish in the 16th and 17th centuries. During the height of the Spanish colonial era, the wealth of South America was assembled in Cartagena for shipping to Spain. Ships laden with treasure attracted pirates and the city itself was turned over to the French in 1697, who demanded tribute from the citizens as well as seizure of the Spanish stockpiles.
Pyle's illustrations vividly capture the dangers and attractions of the colonial port. Picturesque pirates pose and divide their booty on a stretch of white sand. Wealthy citizens are forced to pay tribute to French invaders. And a grand galleon is attacked in clear water by a small but lethal pirates’ craft. Billowing smoke illuminated by gunfire signals the assault overcoming the galleon’s crew.
When the story was published in 1905, one critic wrote that the illustrations for “The Fate of a Treasure Town” were the “sensation of the magazine world…each one marvelously rich in color…dramatically stirring and vividly romantic.”
|
|
Above: The Buccaneer Was a Picturesque Fellow,
1905, for "The Fate of a Treasure Town," by Howard Pyle, in
Harper's Monthly Magazine
, December 1905. Howard Pyle (1853—1911). Oil on canvas, 30 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches. Delaware Art Museum, Museum Purchase, 1912.
|
|
An Attack on a Galleon,
1905, for "The Fate of a Treasure Town," by Howard Pyle, in
Harper's Monthly Magazine,
December 1905. Howard Pyle (1853—1911). Oil on canvas, 29 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches. Delaware Art Museum, Museum Purchase, 1912.
|
|
So the Treasure Was Divided,
1905, for "The Fate of a Treasure Town," by Howard Pyle, in
Harper's Monthly Magazine,
December 1905. Howard Pyle (1853—1911). Oil on canvas, 19 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches. Delaware Art Museum, Museum Purchase, 1912.
|
|
Extorting Tribute from the Citizens,
1905, for "The Fate of a Treasure Town," by Howard Pyle, in
Harper's Monthly Magazine,
December 1905. Howard Pyle (1853—1911). Oil on canvas, 29 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches. Delaware Art Museum, Museum Purchase, 1912.
|
|
Connecting people to art is our mission and we strive to improve and enhance our offerings to become a vibrant hub for the community. These uncertain times make it extremely difficult to accomplish these goals. We need your help. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the Museum’s Annual Fund or become a Museum Member, if you are not one already. Thank you so much for your support today and always!
|
|
For more art from the Museum, visit our website’s
virtual resource page where you can view the collection, experience art making, discover art as a family, and more!
|
|
Our mission is simple – to connect people to art. Each day we strive to improve and enhance our offerings so we may become a vibrant hub for the entire community. We can't do any of this without your help. Please make a donation to the Museum's Annual Fund or become a Museum Member (if not already). Your tax-deductible contribution will help us continue to offer groundbreaking new exhibitions and exciting programming for all. Thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|