Dublin Core
Title
View on the Erie Canal
Description
Hill was the son of a well-known commercial lithographer, and was only 17 years old when he created this and other watercolors of the Erie Canal with an eye toward eventual publication. That never came to pass, but as historical documents the somewhat stylized paintings still are invaluable, in this case just five years after the canal opened.<br />
<br />
Here, we see two vessels passing each other along an unspecified stretch of the canal: a packet boat carrying several wealthy travelers, and a barge carrying what appears to be a load of stone. On the towpath, "hoggees" drive mules used to pull the boats. Within this one stretch there are two low bridges, over one of which a farmer is driving pigs from one field to another. It's clear that many different social and economic interests are in play, yet the overall effect is harmonious.
Creator
Hill, J[ohn] W[illiam], 1812-1879
Date
1829
Contributor
Cooper, Ken
Source
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library.
New York Public Library Digital Collections.
New York Public Library Digital Collections.
Format
jpeg, 424 KB<br />
jpeg, 5.6 MB<br />
Type
Still image
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Watercolor painting
Physical Dimensions
35 x 25 cm.