The Grand Display of Fireworks and Illuminations

The Grand Display of Fireworks and Illuminations

The Brooklyn Bridge

This picture located in digital collection of the New York Public Library depicts the Brooklyn Bridge on the day of it’s grand opening. The bridge officially opened in May 1883 with an elaborate opening ceremony. The ceremony was completed with a grand firework display along the shoreline. The image depicts a city and bridge illuminated by brightly colored fireworks. The red and orange colors of the fireworks highlight the bridge and river below. By surrounding the bridge in this way, the bridge is seen as something incredibly important. This is also evident in the writing under the picture, which says, “Great Suspension Bridge” and “Grand Display of Fireworks and Illuminations.” In Martin Dressler, the Brooklyn Bridge acts as a symbol for Martin. Martin and the bridge each made incredible innovations and progress in their field.

Currier & Ives

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. "The grand display of fireworks and illuminations at the opening of the great suspension bridge between New York and Brooklyn on the evening of May 24th, 1883. View from New York, looking towards Brooklyn." The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1883. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47d9-7aa4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

Currier & Ives

May 1883

Jessa Laspesa