Artwork
Attack on Bunker's Hill, with the Burning of Charles Town
Attack on Bunker's Hill, with the Burning of Charles Town is an oil painting. It dates from 1783 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The canvas depicts a tumultuous waterfront battle, divided between two towns labeled Boston and Charles Town.
About this work
Overview
The canvas depicts a tumultuous waterfront battle, divided between two towns labeled Boston and Charles Town. Boston appears relatively calm amid flames, while Charles Town is consumed by fire and smoke. Soldiers are positioned on a hill, firing upon ships below, some bearing red flags, as additional vessels approach the shoreline. The composition conveys a sense of immediacy and disorder.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a naval engagement in which opposing forces clash near the water, highlighting the devastation of urban centers caught in conflict.
The work portrays a naval engagement in which opposing forces clash near the water, highlighting the devastation of urban centers caught in conflict. The contrasting treatment of the two towns suggests differing fates or perspectives on the same event, while the presence of red‑flagged ships may indicate a particular allegiance or warning. The overall scene underscores the chaos and human cost of warfare.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs a vivid palette to render fire, smoke, and turbulent skies. Bold, saturated reds and oranges dominate the burning areas, while darker tones convey the looming clouds overhead. The artist balances detailed figures—soldiers and ships—with broader washes of color, creating a dramatic contrast that heightens the sense of urgency characteristic of early Romantic visual language.
Context
Created within the Romantic period, the piece reflects the movement’s fascination with dramatic, emotionally charged subjects such as war, nature’s fury, and human vulnerability. Its emphasis on intense color, atmospheric effects, and the sublime—particularly the threatening sky and raging flames—aligns it with contemporary works that sought to evoke strong feelings rather than strict historical documentation.
History & Provenance
The painting is an oil on canvas titled "Attack on Bunker's Hill, with the Burning of Charles Town." No further details about its creation date, artist, or ownership history are provided in the source material.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
The Dutch Burn English Ships during the Expedition to Chatham, 20 June 1667 (Raid on the Medway)
The Explosion of the Spanish Flagship during the Battle of Gibraltar
Naval Battle of Vigo Bay, 23 October 1702. Episode from the War of the Spanish Succession
A naval battle scene between the Spaniards and Turks.