"Saint Florian" Engine Panel Painting
"Saint Florian" Engine Panel Painting
- Description
- In the nineteenth century, volunteer fire companies often commissioned paintings to decorate their hand-pumped fire engines for parades, competitions, and community events. Sometimes framed with elaborate carvings, they adorned the tall air chamber located at the middle or rear of a pumper. The paintings would often feature patriotic, heroic, or allegorical images to associate the volunteer companies with these lofty ideals.
- The knight pictured is Saint Florian, who is associated with protection from the destructive forces of fire and water. Florian was a Roman guard under Emperor Diocletian who converted to Christianity. He was drowned when he refused to follow the order to persecute fellow Christians. The painting depicts Florian in his Roman garb putting out a fire with a single bucket of water, a common motif in depictions of the saint.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- painting, engine panel
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- Physical Description
- tin (overall material)
- oil paint (image material)
- Measurements
- overall: 25 in x 27 7/8 in; 63.5 cm x 70.8025 cm
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0323
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0323
- Credit Line
- Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
- Engine Panel Paintings
- Cultures & Communities
- Work
- Firefighting Collection
- Art
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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