Who painted The Boston Massacre?

The Boston Massacre was painted by Paul Revere in 1770.

Where can I see The Boston Massacre?

The Boston Massacre is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Boston Massacre?

The Boston Massacre is associated with Romanticism.

The Boston Massacre by Paul Revere (1770) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

Overview

Revere arranges the figures to emphasize the aggression of the troops, showing them in a rigid formation while the civilians appear disorganized and fleeing.

Paul Revere's 'The Boston Massacre' is a 1770 engraving with hand coloring on laid paper that depicts the violent confrontation on King Street in Boston on March 5, 1770. The composition presents a chaotic street scene where a line of British soldiers, ordered by a commanding officer, fire into a crowd of unarmed colonists. Revere arranges the figures to emphasize the aggression of the troops, showing them in a rigid formation while the civilians appear disorganized and fleeing. The print includes the inscription 'Bloody Massacre' and identifies the victims by name, serving as a potent piece of political propaganda. Although Revere was primarily a silversmith, he adapted an existing engraving by Henry Pelham to produce this work rapidly following the event. Its primary purpose was to galvanize colonial opposition to British rule by portraying the incident as a deliberate massacre rather than a defensive action. This image became one of the most influential visual tools of the American Revolution, widely circulated to unite the colonies against perceived tyranny and establishing Revere's role as a key figure in revolutionary communication.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures a tumultuous scene: civilians scramble and shout while British soldiers, muskets raised, stand rigidly. The composition emphasizes the chaos and tension, presenting the event as a stark illustration of colonial grievance against military authority.

Technique & Style

Executed as an engraving, the work combines fine line work with selective hand‑coloring to highlight figures and weapons. Revere’s background as a silversmith informs the precision of the incised lines, while the hand‑applied hues add visual emphasis without obscuring the detail.

History & Provenance

Created shortly after the incident, the print served as a piece of political propaganda, circulating among Patriots to shape public opinion. Original impressions remain in several American collections, reflecting its role in Revolutionary-era visual culture.

Context

The Boston Massacre occurred amid rising colonial unrest over British taxation and military presence. Revere’s print contributed to the growing narrative of British oppression, aligning with other contemporary pamphlets and broadsides that mobilized colonial resistance.