The Perilous Situation of Major Mony, When He Fell into the Sea with His Balloon on the 23rd of July, 1785, Off the Coast of Yarmouth; Most Providentially Discovered and Taken Up by the Argus Sloop, After Having Remained in the Water During Five Hours 1789

"The Perilous Situation of Major Mony" is a mezzotint by John Murphy, depicting the real-life event of Major Mony's hot-air balloon crash off the coast of Yarmouth in 1785. The print shows Mony clinging to the wreckage of his balloon, while the Argus Sloop approaches to rescue him. This dramatic scene captures the public's fascination with early aerial exploration and serves as a reminder of the risks involved. The print is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and showcases the technical skill of mezzotint, a printmaking process that uses a finely-etched plate to create tonal variations.