Description
Text published with this image tells us that, "the city of Troy is delightfully situated on the east shore of the Hudson, about six miles north of Albany, and near the head of sloop navigation." It then describes the town's rapid growth as a trading center with a population over four thousand. The vista seen here, "embraces a most extensive and enchanting view; bounded on the south by the towering mountains of Katskill..The road, in the foreground..runs northward to Sandy-Hill, and Lakes George and Champlain." The print comes from the Hudson River Portfolio, a monument of American printmaking produced through the collaboration of artists, a writer, and publishers. In the summer of 1820, the Irish-born Wall toured and sketched along the Hudson, then painted a series of large watercolors. Prints of equal scale were proposed—to be issued to subscribers in sets of four—and John Rubens Smith hired to work the plates. Almost immediately, Smith was replaced by the skilled London-trained aquatint engraver John Hill, who finished the first four plates, and produced sixteen more by 1825. Over the next decade, the popularity of the Portfolio stimulated new appreciation for American landscape, and prepared the way for the Hudson River School. Medium: aquatint printed in color with hand-coloring; first state (koke). Album: The Hudson River Portfolio.
Additional Makers: Etcher - John Rubens Smith (American, London 1775–1849 New York); Etcher - John Hill (American (born England), London 1770–1850 Clarksville, New York); Publisher - Henry J. Megarey (American, 1818–1845 New York); Publisher - W. B. Gilley (New York, NY); Publisher - John Mill (Charleston, South Carolina); Printer - William and Charles Rollinson (American, active ca. 1808–33)
Image Licence
CC0 1.0
Image Credit
Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts
Location
Troy, New York, USA
Country
USA
Medium
Print
Tags
Category
Buildings & Architecture
