To the right is a peaceful scene of Troy that mostly burned later that evening, thanks to the westerly wind pushing the flames towards the center of town.

Regular memorials were held for the Great Fire of Troy on anniversary days, such as in 2012 for the 150th year.

In 1937, the 75th anniversary had been commemorated with various activities, and a news article printed in 1939 with a dramatic oval graphic illustrating the bridge on fire caught the eye of the artist, who cut the clipping and marked it up for her use in a rectangular painting.

Her first version based on the print was included in her first solo exhibition in 1940 at the Galerie St. Etienne in NYC.

She then made two more versions in 1941 that expanded the scene to include the soon-to-be-burned Troy side of the river.