Moll Pitcher at Monmouth

Engraver William H. Van Ingen

Periodca. 1859

MediumWoodcut engraving on newsprint paper

Dimensions7.1 × 6.6 in. (18 × 16.8 cm)

InscribedInscribed bottom center, "MOLL PITCHER AT MONMOUTH."

SignedInscribed lower left, "White." Inscribed lower right, "W. H. Van Ingen."

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineGift of the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission, 1998

Object number2003.500.23

DescriptionHumorous caricature woodcut engraving of a disheveled Molly Pitcher standing to the right of a cannon on a wheeled carriage. She is wearing a flowing striped petticoat and apron, light colored bodice, a dark military style jacket, and a ruffled day cap tied under her chin. A water canteen hangs bandolier style over her shoulder on the right, she holds a taper on a long stick in her hands, and her bucket rests beside the body of male soldier in the foreground. The gun captain waves her on with his hat raised in the air behind the cannon. Two other soldiers appear in the left middle distance.
Curatorial RemarksThe artist who captured Molly Pitcher’s spirit of determination as she set out to retaliate against the British is known only as “White.” William H. Van Engen, an engraver and designer who initially worked in New York City, engraved White’s illustration. Van Engen later moved to Philadelphia, where he was the senior partner of Van Ingen & Snyder, a well-known engraving firm.NotesThis caricature-style woodcut, published in J. T. Headley’s The Illustrated Life of Washington (1859), conforms to nineteenth-century descriptions of Molly Pitcher as being “stout” and “coarse.” Cheered on by a compatriot who tips his tricorne hat, she ignores her fallen spouse and grasps a link stock to light the cannon fuse at her side. Despite the oppressive heat, Molly wears a ruffled hat and a man’s dark military jacket. As in other depictions of Molly Pitcher made during this period, she is shown with a bucket rather than a pitcher. The Battle of Monmouth took place on 28 June 1778.

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