Alfred Jones (1819-1900), engraver. after Richard Caton Woodville (1825-1855). Mexican News. Etching. [New York: American Art-Union, 1851]. Image 6 1/16 x 6 5/8 in. Sheet 7 3/8 x 11 3/8 in. 

An engaging engraving after a painting titled "War News from Mexico" which emphasizes the role of the press during the Mexican War. Public opinion was swayed in favor of the war in part by the press popularizing "manifest destiny" as justification for the westward expansion. Here, a shocked-looking man holds the daily newspaper and reads to an interested crowd on the porch of the American Hotel, including an African American man and child. 

Published by the American Art-Union, a subscription-based club that sought to champion and support living American artists through the exhibition of their art and publication of engraving. Members received a "large and costly Original Engraving from an American painting each year."

[Engraving, Prints] [Mexican War, Mexican-American War]a