"Breakdown, Rainstorm," Drawing for the Magic Lantern Slide Series "Mr. Spurt and His Auto," 1906

Summary

Before movies, Americans delighted in "Magic Lantern" slide shows. Artist Joseph Boggs Beale drew eight images for the 1906 slide series "Mr. Spurt and His Auto," lampooning the problems of early motoring. In this sixth slide, the Spurts' happy drive is interrupted when their car breaks down. Their misery is compounded by a heavy thunderstorm.

Before movies, Americans delighted in "Magic Lantern" slide shows. Artist Joseph Boggs Beale drew eight images for the 1906 slide series "Mr. Spurt and His Auto," lampooning the problems of early motoring. In this sixth slide, the Spurts' happy drive is interrupted when their car breaks down. Their misery is compounded by a heavy thunderstorm.

Artifact

Drawing (Visual work)

Date Made

1906

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

36.658.6

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Tempera

Technique

Grisaille

Color

Gray (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 14.25 in

Width: 14.25 in

Related Content

Connect 3

Discover curious connections between artifacts.

Learn More