1845 Stream of Time - A Chart of Universal History from the Original German of Strass
By: Friedrich Strass / James H. Colton
Date: 1845 (dated) New York
Dimensions: 48 x 36 inches (122 x 91.5 cm) including rollers
A beautiful example of Friedrich Strass's scarce and eye-catching Stream of History; a seminal diagram illustrating the history as a tumultuous flood of interconnected streams, each representing nations, peoples, or significant events over a period of 5,849 years, from Creation to 1845.
The chart begins with Creation in the year 4004 AM and ends with several events of the 1840s that include the defeat of Don Carlos ending Spain's Civil War, "the remains of Bonaparte removed from Paris with great pomp," and the death of Andrew Jackson. The first nine streams include the "Jews," "Egyptians," and "Phoenicians," culminating in thirty-seven streams reflecting the populations of various nations. A large portion just above center is dominated by the Roman Empire with 17 streams of civilization feeding into it before diverging again around 400 AD. Prior to this, the Persian and Macedonian Empires are shown to have the greatest impact on Eurasian civilization.
The chart employs symbols to denote the rise and fall of civilizations, with smaller streams branching off larger ones to signify conquests or losses. Centuries are marked horizontally, with events numbered accordingly for temporal reference. Notably, the chart also features streams representing eras, founding of cities, discoveries, inventions, and notable individuals throughout history.
Strass's chart, influenced by Joseph Priestley's emphasis on graphic historical representation, diverges from a linear chronology to illustrate history as dynamic conflict. Its impact extends to later works, including Emma Willard's "Picture of Nations," which similarly embraces this visual approach to historical education, and Adam's Illustrated Panorama of History which employs a similar stream design but in a folding book for that extends well over 20 ft.
Friedrich Strass's Stream of Time is undoubtedly a seminal work, influencing subsequent depictions of history and exemplifying a shift towards graphical representation in historical pedagogy.
Condition: This chart is in A condition, evenly toned with bright colors and minor marginal loss that has been expertly filled in. The entire piece has fresh linen on the verso and is mounted on original wood rollers with eye-loops at the top for easy hanging.
Inventory #12734
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