Bombardment of Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor 12th & 13th of April, 1861 1861

This print, Bombardment of Fort Sumter, was made by Currier and Ives, the famous American printmaking firm, in 1861. They were known for their mass-produced lithographs, often depicting current events. Lithography is a fascinating process. The artist draws on a flat stone with a greasy crayon, then treats the stone so that ink only adheres to the drawn areas. This allows for relatively quick reproduction of images. In this case, the process captured a pivotal moment at the start of the Civil War. Look closely, and you can see the impact of the explosions on the fort, the smoke billowing in the sky. The print relies on stark contrasts and dramatic composition to convey the intensity of the bombardment. The material process also enabled Currier and Ives to distribute this image widely, shaping public opinion and contributing to the war effort. By blurring the boundaries between art, news, and propaganda, it offers a glimpse into the social and political landscape of the time.