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1852 Sebron and Salathe Aquatint View of Niagara Falls Horseshoe
NiagaraFallsHorseshoe-sebron-1852$2,000.00
Title
Les Chutes du Niagara. Fer a Cheval / Niagara Falls. The Horseshoe.
1852 (undated) 26 x 38 in (66.04 x 96.52 cm)
1852 (undated) 26 x 38 in (66.04 x 96.52 cm)
Description
A scarce 1852 hand colored aquatint view of Horeshoe Fall or Canadian Falls, part of Niagara Falls based upon a painting by Hippolyte Victor Valentin Sébron and engraved by Friedrich Salathé. This is considered among the most realistic mid-19th century views of Niagara Falls. Sébron visited the Niagara Falls in 1850, when the original paintings were completed.
The View
The Horseshoe Falls are depicted as dark storm clouds roll in. The white spray is by contrast almost opaque, especially near the foreground rim where intense winds blow at the scarves and hats of awed onlookers. A carriage waits to whisk the onlookers away as a worried carriage man points out the threatening impending storm. In the distance buildings are visible, including a watchtower and grand hotel. At the base of the falls, a steam boat appears dangerously close to the fury.Publication History and Census
Sébron's original painting was well received in the art salons of New York and New Orleans, where it was exhibited at Faivre's Music Store on Royal Street. The popularity of the painting was such that reproduction rights were sold to Goupil and Company, French aquatint and lithographic publishers who issued the view in New York City. Although titled in both English and French, to appeal to both markets, this view was printed and copyrighted in New York. This is one of two views of Niagara Falls issued by Sébron and Salathé, the second being a general view. This view is not cataloged in OCLC.CartographerS
Hippolyte Victor Valentin Sébron (August 21, 1801 - September 1, 1879) was a French painter active throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States in the middle part of the 19th century. Sébron was born in Caudebec-en-Caux in the Seine-Maritime. Sébron is best known for his landscapes and dioramas, but his full corpus includes portraits, architectural views, and interior scenes as well. He was a regular exhibitor at the famed Paris Salon, as well as at the London Royal Bazaar, and at the New York National Academy of Design. Sébron also worked closely with Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre, inventory of the daguerreotype. Working together Sébron and Daguerre created several artworks wherein they employed innovating lighting and painting techniques to produce unique effects that seems to transition between night and day. After a long prosperous career and a life of world travel, Sébron died in Paris in 1879 at the age of 78. More by this mapmaker...
Friedrich Salathé (January 11, 1793 - May 12, 1858) was Swiss graphic artist, engraver, draftsman, and aquafortist. Salathé was born in Binningen, Switzerland, the son of the farmer Jospeh Salathé. He apprenticed with the Swiss painter Peter Birmann. He lived for a time in Italy serving on the Pope's Swiss Guard. While in Italy he developed as an artist exhibiting in Rome in 1919. He subsequently returned to Binningen, near Basel, in 1821, taking work with the print sellers Falkeisen and Huber. Reaching the age of 30 in 1823 he relocated, permanently, to Paris, which his work was generally admired. There too he met and married the artist Friederike Neuhaus. Salathé exhibited throughout Paris and two of his aquatints were exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1841. He also worked with Johann Jacob Steinmann producing lithographic and photographic prints. Salathé is best known for his landscapes. Learn More...
Condition
Average. View exhibits some surface abrasions, cracking, and tears. View has been stabilized and part of lower margin reinstated by a professional art restorer. Laid down on linen.