The Boston Tea Party

Strong diagonals juxtaposed with curvilinear shapes abound in Joseph Hirsch's dynamic lithograph. The diagonal angles of the ship's rigging, folds of the flag and drape of the costume worn by the central figure contrast with the delicate haze of falling tea and the rounded forms of clouds. Perhaps Hirsch intended this contrast to complement his subject. He said: "The Boston Tea Party has, for me, the elements of wild paradox: what was outrageous vandalism two centuries ago, we today cherish nationally as a symbol of the free soul."