Bursting through Air

The fireworks at Alexander II's coronation.

“Fireworks” is one of the 100 entries in the Encyclopedia of the Exquisite. Nothing could better express the beauty, outrageous folly and primal attraction that I try to describe in 100 different ways in the book. So, in honor of America’s most fireworks-fueled event, the 4th of July, I’m posting some sparkling images from my research on fireworks, including the one at left, an artist’s rendering of the fireworks at the coronation of Alexander II.

A 17th century mock-battle, with fireworks.

Old English fireworks.

Fireworks over the Brooklyn Bridge.

The fireworks watching crowd.