William Tell, Shooting the Apple from His Son's Head.

PrinterPrinted by D. W. Kellogg & Co. American, 1830 - 1840

PublisherPublished by D. W. Kellogg & Co. American, 1830 - 1840

Date1830-1840

MediumLithography; printer's ink and watercolor on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 9 3/16 x 11 1/8in. (23.3 x 28.3cm)
Sheet (height x width): 10 1/8 x 14 1/16in. (25.7 x 35.7cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineGift of Samuel St. John Morgan

DescriptionA man, at the left, aims a cross bow at an apple on a boy's head. The boy is blind-folded and stands against a tree. Another man, apparently a king, seated on a throne, looks on. Other men stand at the left and right. A lake, a castle, and a mountain are in the background.

Object number1950.80.0

InscribedOn recto, lithographed title beneath image, "WILLIAM TELL, SHOOTING THE APPLE FROM HIS SON'S HEAD."

On verso, in purple ink, upper left, "826". In pencil: "B # 108", and at lower right, "Consv. CPC 1987 / Dwr. 2"; "Print / Box / #28".NotesSubject Note: This lithograph depicts the legend of Swiss hero William Tell. According to this legend, Tell refused to pay homage to Austrian rule. As a result, Austrian bailiff Gessler forced Tell to shoot an apple from his son's head. Tell succeeded; although captured by the Austrians, he later escaped and killed Gessler.

Subject Terms

Collections