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# The Art of Fireworks
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/the-art-of-fireworks/
- Published: 2011-07-04T11:30:10.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T15:48:47.000Z
- Description: Happy Fourth of July everyone! When I think of this very American holiday, I think fireworks. So, I thought it was appropriate to share some notable art works that incorporate fireworks in different ways and demonstrate that the love of beautiful lights is quite universal.
- Author: Hrag Vartanian
- Tags: Opinion, #image-position-hidden, Cai Guo-Qiang, Kenneth Anger, Sam Francis, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-17 09:23 (2009-2011)

*Happy Fourth of July everyone!*

When I think of this very America holiday, I think fireworks. So, I wanted to share some notable art works that incorporate fireworks in different ways and demonstrate that the love of beatiful lights is quite universal.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/royalfireworks.jpg)

Hand colored etching of "A VIEW of the FIRE-WORKES and ILLUMINATIONS at his GRACE the Duke of RICHMOND'S at WHITEHALL and on the River Thames on Monday 15 May 1749." (1749) (via Wikipedia)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/superstock_1158-2040.jpg)

Giovanni Paolo Panini, "Preparation Of The Fireworks" (18th C.) (via superstock.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/indian-firework.jpg)

India, Rajasthan, Kishangarh, South Asia, "Krishna and Radha Enjoying a Feast and Fireworks" (early 19th century) (via lacma.org)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/fireworks_1856.jpg)

Henri Pierre Léon Pharamond Blanchard, "Fireworks /Feuerwerk" (1856)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/screen-shot-2011-07-03-at-7-01-19-pm.png)

 Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando), "Fireworks at Ryogoku (Ryogoku Hanabi), No. 98" from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (1858) (via brooklynmuseum.org)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/screen-shot-2011-07-03-at-7-06-51-pm.png)

Unknown American Artist, "Fireworks Over Castel St. Angelo, Rome" (nd) (via BrooklynMuseum.org)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/winthp15.jpg)

Winslow Homer, "Sailboat and Fourth of July Fireworks" (1880) (via thecityreview.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/james-ensor-fireworks-600.jpg)

James Ensor, "Fireworks" (1887) (via moma.org)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/cri_176765.jpg)

Félix Vallotton, "Fireworks" (1901) (via moma.org)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/zoomimage.jpg)

David Bueno de Mesquita, "Vuurwerk op de Amstel - Fireworks over the river Amstel, on the occasion of the silver jubilee of Queen Wilhelmina" (1923) (via christies.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/cri_163522.jpg)

Sam Francis, "Firework" (1963) (via moma.org)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/3108137261_4b24c74b7f_b.jpg)

Cai Guo-Qiang's "Fireworks From Heaven" at the Charles J. Colton School during Prospect.1 in New Orleans, 2008.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/rainbow.jpg)

Another project in lower Manhattan by Cai Guo-Qiang, "Transient Rainbow" (2002), was created for the opening of MoMA QNS. It featured a rainbow of fireworks. This was done again in 2009 above Tian'anmen Square and billed as the world's largest "firework paintings." (image via asianartnewspaper.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/48.jpg)

Rosemarie Fiore's "Firework Drawing #7" (2009) (via rosemariefiore.com)