Object ID	N0317.1961
Title	Battle of Lake Erie
Artist	Unidentified
Object Name	Painting
Early Date	1825
Late Date	1850
Exhibit label line3	Images of American heroes played an important role in shaping a national identity, and folk artists often looked to popular published engravings for inspiration. The unknown artist of Battle of Lake Erie, who may have intended to sell this work or may have wanted a patriotic scene in his or her own home, copied this composition from a print based on a painting by Philadelphia artist Thomas Birch. The moment depicted was a critical one; as the famous sea battle of September 10, 1813 was nearly lost, Commander Oliver Hazard Perry left his shattered flagship to continue the fight in another vessel. Perry's victory was crucial to America defeating Great Britain in the War of 1812, and his tenacity in gaining that victory was widely celebrated.
Description	No marks.
Dimensions	H-30 W-38 inches
Material	Oil on canvas
Place of Origin	Northeastern United States

Prior written permission is required for any reproduction, redistribution, publication, or other use of the images in any media, including but not limited to, printed or electronic media. Contact the Office of the Registrar, New York State Historical Association, PO Box 800, Cooperstown, NY 13326, (607) 547-1444, to request permission.    
Last modified on: November 04, 2005