Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2010.7 |
Object Name |
Engraving |
Title |
Back of the State House, Philadelphia |
Artist |
Birch, William Russell |
Date |
1800, 1860 |
Description |
Landscape engraving of the Philadelphia State House. In the left foreground is a group of people in traditional colonial dress, standing in front of a large clock. Center foreground is a group of Indigenous people and to the right of them is a lady walking with a parasol. Behind is a group of children playing on the grass with trees in the background and more groups of people lounging near the trees. In the left background is the State House, looming over the rest of the landscape. At rear is Philosophical Hall with sign reading "Museum." Bottom left: "designed and published by W. Birch enamel painter 1800." |
Label |
William Birch and his son Thomas drew and engraved this view of the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in 1800 for a series of twenty-nine prints of the city. Born in England, William Birch immigrated to Philadelphia in 1794. Thomas Jefferson and many well-known Philadelphians were among his clients. The Birch Philadelphia views are unique for their many details (such as the group of Native Americans shown here) and for portraying features of the city not shown in other images. Philosophical Hall, home to the APS and to Charles Willson Peale’s museum at the time, is at the right in this print, behind the trees. These popular views were republished during the 19th century; this particular copy is probably from the John McAllister reprint of 1860. |
Medium |
Engraving |
Dimensions |
H-10 W-11 inches |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society |
Search Terms |
19th century nineteenth century Philadelphia women landscape |