Image scanned from a transparency and color-corrected by Pat Cagney.

Destruction of The Virginia May 11th, 1862

Artist Benjamin Adworth Richardson (American, 1833-1909)

Dateca. 1907

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsOverall: 9 x 12 in. (22.9 x 30.5 cm)

ClassificationsAmerican art

Credit LineGift of The Brothers Anson T. and Philip T. McCook

Object number54.5.6

Terms

Monitor
Merrimac
U.S. history
Virginia
Norfolk
U.S. Civil War

On View

Not on view

DescriptionThis painting depicts the destruction, by fire, of the CSS Virginia. The fire burns the ironclad on the water at night. Black smoke billows from the vessel. This is one of a series of small paintings copyrighted by G. Richardson (a son) and reproduced on post cards and put on the market at the time of the 1907 Jamestown Exposition.

Label TextBenjamin Adworth Richardson American, 1833–1909 Merrimac Destroyed at the Burning of the Norfolk Navy Yard, April 19th 1861, ca. 1907 Merrimac in Dry Dock Being Converted into the Iron Battery Virginia, ca. 1907 Virginia Passing Fort Norfolk, March 8th 1862, ca. 1907 Virginia Sinking the Cumberland March 8th, 1862, ca. 1907 Virginia Engaged in Battle with the Monitor in Hampton Roads March 9, 1862, ca. 1907 Destruction of the Virginia May 11th, 1862, ca. 1907 Oil on canvas Gifts of the brothers Anson T. and Philip T. McCook 54.5.1–6 As a young man during the Civil War, Benjamin Richardson volunteered for the Confederate military and served aboard the ironclad CSS Virginia. He later operated an art supply business in Norfolk and created paintings of his own. This series chronicles the short career of the Virginia, including its beginnings as the USS Merrimac, its transformation into an ironclad, its service during the famous Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862, and its destruction by the Confederates (to keep the ship out of Union hands). These small works may have been painted expressly for reproduction as postcards to be sold as souvenirs at the 1907 Jamestown Exposition.