"View of the Capitol at Washington" Hand Colored Print, after William Henry Bartlett

Presented is a charming, hand colored engraving of “View of the Capitol at Washington.” The engraving is after William Henry Bartlett’s engraving of the same title, first published in Nathaniel P. Willis’ American Scenery: or Land, Lake, and River Illustrations of Transatlantic Nature. Although undated, this is likely a late 19th century reprint of Bartlett’s view. 

The engraving depicts the United States Capitol as it appeared in the 1830s. In the foreground, a bustling street scene shows horse-drawn carriages and many people walking along the tree-lined road. Atop the hill, the west side of the Capitol building is shown, in all of its neoclassical glory. The building is shown with its older, copper-colored wooden dome. 

William Henry Bartlett (1809-1854) was a British landscape artist, renowned for his scenic town views, architectural cityscapes, and nature scenes. Many of his images appeared in travelogs of the 19th century. British publisher George Virtue published the most successful of Bartlett’s series, a work written by American author Nathaniel P. Willis and titled American Scenery: or Land, Lake, and River Illustrations of Transatlantic Nature. American Scenery was first issued in parts in November of 1838 and then in its entirety bound in two volumes in January of 1840. It was a huge publishing success, reissued multiple times from 1840 to 1870. Bartlett’s prints appeared not only in those volumes but also in magazines, periodicals, and as separate prints. His views capture the budding development and growth of the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States in the 1830s and remain some of the most popular prints of America issued in the 19th century. 

CONDITION:

Good condition overall. Engraving, with light hand coloring. Titled in the bottom margin, but undated. Paper is healthy, clean, and very bright. 

The print is framed in a custom wooden frame with gold beaded spandrel, acid-free dark gray mats, and UV glass.

Framed Dimensions: 26" H x 31 1/2" W x 1" D.

Accompanied  by our company's letter of authenticity.