Sale 219 Lot 449

THE BURNING OF CAP FRANCAIS DURING THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION, JUNE 1793 line engraving on wove paper, circa 1802 Jacques Francois Joseph Swebach (French, 1769-1823), engraved by Pierre-Gabriel Berthault (French, 1737-1831), artwork depicting a hillside view over the colonial port of Cap-Francais (now Cap-Haitien, Haiti) during the June 1793 fire that destroyed most of the city, with plumes of smoke and flames rising above the rooftops, ships standing offshore, and refugees with pack animals and belongings fleeing in the foreground. The fire broke out during the clash between the forces of Governor Galbaud and the Republic's civil commissioners Sonthonax and Polverel, who promised freedom to enslaved people willing to fight for the Republic, a turning point that hastened the abolition of slavery in Saint-Domingue later that year. Inscribed "Swebach Desfontaines inv. & del." at lower left, "Berthault Sculp." at lower right, and titled "Incendie du Cap Francais, le 20. 21. 22 et 23 Juin 1793, ou 2. 3. 4 et 5 Messidor An 1er de la Republique." Unframed. plate: 7 x 9 inches; sheet: 12 x 18 inches
$120-160