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Weather Vane: Model Fire Engine

Beverly Chichester

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of a horse-drawn steam-powered fire engine. The image portrays a historical fire engine, featuring two galloping horses harnessed to a steam-powered device mounted on large wooden-spoked wheels. There is a cylindrical steam engine prominently displayed at the front of the vehicle, complete with pipes and valves. The horses are depicted in mid-stride, conveying a sense of motion and urgency. The wheels of the vehicle are connected by a series of metal bars. This painting captures a blend of animal power and early industrial technology, likely reminiscent of firefighting techniques from the past.

Artwork Details

Date
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
4906 × 2883 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original