Surrender of Cornwallis: At York-Town Va. Oct. 1781

The print illustrates the surrender of British General Charles Cornwallis to American forces at Yorktown, Virginia, in October 1781, symbolizing a decisive victory for the Americans in the Revolutionary War. The scene contrasts two military groups: American forces (left, in dark blue with red sashes and white pants) and British troops (right, in bright red with white breeches), set against a backdrop of a large tent and a tree-lined hill.

Executed as a hand-colored lithograph, the print leverages the capabilities of lithography—a technique allowing for mass production of images by transferring inked designs from stone to paper. Currier's use of bold, contrasting colors (notably the dark blue and red uniforms) enhances the visual distinction between the opposing forces.

Created in 1845 by Nathaniel Currier, the print commemorates an event from 1781, reflecting mid-19th-century interest in historical American victories. The artist's choice to depict this scene 64 years after the fact suggests a nostalgic or patriotic motivation.

Produced during a period of growing American nationalism, the print taps into the country's desire to celebrate its foundational moments. The Revolutionary War's conclusion, marked by Cornwallis's surrender, was a unifying national memory by the 1840s.

As part of Currier's body of work, this lithograph contributes to the broader legacy of historical scene printing in 19th-century America, educating and reminding the public of key historical events through accessible, mass-produced art.