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2016-193, Print
Two Soldiers of the Continental Congress in North America
2016-193, Print

Two Soldiers of the Continental Congress in North America

Dateca. 1780
OriginEurope, Germany, Nuremberg
MediumLine engraving on laid paper
DimensionsOH: 9 3/4in x OW 8 1/2 in. (unframed)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2016-193
DescriptionLower margin reads: "Wahrhafte Abbildung der Soldaten des Congreßes in Nordamericka, nach der Zeich-/ ung eines Deutschen Officers. Die Mütze ist von Leder, mit der Aufschrift Congrß die/ gantze Kleidung von Zwillich über all mit weissen Franzen besezt, die Beinkleider gehan bis/ auf die Knöchelherunter. Die Meisten lausen barsuß. Ihre Feuer gewehr sind mit sehr langen/ Paÿonets vershen, welche Sie auch stat eines seiten gewehrs gebrauchen/ C.D. Henning ex Norimbergae."

Depicting two soldiers. The soldier on the left is turned to his left while the soldier on the right is facing forward. Each soldier wears a fringed hunting shirt and holds a rifle affixed with a bayonet. The soldier on the right is barefoot.Label TextThis depiction of two American soliders was possibly based on a drawing made by a German officer. It shows the types of clothing and weapons American soldiers used during the Revolutionary war.

The text below the image reads: "A True Depiction of the Soldiers of the Congress in North America, based on a drawing by a German officer. The cap is made of leather, bearing the inscription "Congress"; the entire uniform is made of twill and trimmed throughout with white fringe, and the breeches extend down to the ankles. Most of them go barefoot. Their firearms are fitted with very long bayonets, which they also use in place of a sidearm." [Translated using Google Translate]Provenance2016 (Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, NH, October 25, 2016, Lot 308); 2016-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).