Baptism

William P. Chappel

1870s · Oil on slate paper · The American Wing

During the Second Great Awakening (ca. 1790–1830), New York City became a center for Methodist and Baptist revivalist preachers who inspired their flourishing working-class congregations. Baptisms of adults and older children by total immersion in water—embraced by some Methodists but a particular hallmark of the Baptist faith—drew large audiences for Sunday morning ceremonies. Such immersions were performed on the banks of the Hudson and East Rivers. Here, Chappel represents the beach at Corlear’s Hook, a popular spot for baptizing as well as bathing, due to the fine sandy bottom and shelving shore.

Artist

William P. Chappel

Date

1870s

Medium

Oil on slate paper

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

The Edward W. C. Arnold Collection of New York Prints, Maps, and Pictures, Bequest of Edward W. C. Arnold, 1954