{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O77353"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O77353/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM3190/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM3190/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AM3190","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O77353/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O77353","accessionNumber":"21228","objectType":"Print","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"<b>Object Type</b><br>This object is a particular type of print called an engraving. Lines are cut into the flat surface of a metal plate using sharp tools. The engraving is made by transferring ink held in the lines onto a sheet of paper.<br><br><b>Subject Depicted</b><br>The peace treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was signed in 1748, ending the War of Austrian Succession. On 27 April 1749 a firework spectacular took place in St James's Park, London, to celebrate the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle. This print shows the large wooden pavilion, painted to resemble stone, that was erected to launch the fireworks. The pavilion was 410 feet long and 114 feet high.<br><br>The firework display was not an unqualified success: it rained on the day; the pavilion housing the fireworks caught fire and burned to the ground; and there was a public fight when the pavilion's architect, the Chevalier Servandoni, drew his sword and confronted the organiser of the event, the Duke of Montagu.<br><br><b>People</b><br>The famous English composer George Frideric Handel wrote several pieces to celebrate the signing of the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle. The most famous of these, the Music for the Royal Fireworks, was performed at the firework spectacular in St James's Park on 27 April 1749. The piece was a great success and is still one of Handel's most frequently performed compositions.","physicalDescription":"Engraving on paper depicting a firework display","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Servandoni, Giovanni Niccolo","id":"A8835"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"AAT25190"},"note":""},{"name":{"text":"George Vertue","id":"A8947"},"association":{"text":"engraver (printmaker)","id":"AAT25165"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[{"text":"engraving","id":"AAT53225"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Engraving, ink on paper","categories":[{"text":"Designs","id":"THES48968"},{"text":"Architectural drawings","id":"THES274432"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"PDP","id":"THES48595"},"images":["2006AM3190"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"52F","id":"THES49252"},"free":"","case":"WS","shelf":"","box":"8"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Engraving","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"engraved","id":"AAT53829"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1749","earliest":"1749-01-01","latest":"1749-12-31"},"association":{"text":"dated","id":"AAT54714"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by the Rev. R. Brooke","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"44","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"paper","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"57","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"paper","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Dimensions checked: Measured; 06/08/2000 by Mounters","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Designed by Giovanni Niccolo Servandoni (born in 1695, died in Paris, 1766); engraved in London by George Vertue (born in London, 1684, died there in 1756)","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Plan and elevation of the Royal Fireworks, St James's Palace, Designed by Giovanni Niccolo Servandoni, engraved in London by George Vertue, 1749","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[{"text":"St James's Palace, London","id":"x33875"},{"text":"London","id":"x28980"}],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"palaces","id":"AAT5734"},{"text":"plans (drawings)","id":"AAT34104"},{"text":"elevations (drawings)","id":"AAT34065"},{"text":"architecture","id":"AAT54156"},{"text":"fireworks (explosive equipment)","id":"AAT249832"},{"text":"Palladian","id":"AAT21161"},{"text":"balconies","id":"AAT2588"},{"text":"arches","id":"AAT994"},{"text":"columns","id":"AAT1571"},{"text":"coats of arms","id":"AAT126352"},{"text":"sculpture","id":"AAT47090"},{"text":"reliefs","id":"AAT47230"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"British Galleries:\nThe Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) was celebrated in London by a spectacular firework display for which Handel wrote his 'Music for the Royal Fireworks'. Jonathan Tyers negotiated the right to hold a public rehearsal of the music at Vauxhall. The rehearsal was a great success but the performance in St James's Park was a disaster, ruined by rain, a public fight and the burning down of the pavilion.","date":{"text":"27/03/2003","earliest":"2003-03-27","latest":"2003-03-27"}}],"partNumbers":["21228"],"accessionNumberNum":"21228","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":null,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LP7150","2019LP5445","2019LU3501"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-10-17","recordCreationDate":"2003-03-27","availableToBook":false}}