1840 Garneray Aquatint View of New York Harbor

A striking c. 1840 aquatint view of New York Harbor as seen from New Jersey. This is considered one of the best early views of New York, predating the bird's-eye era by a generation. This example, moreover, features brilliant gouache hand color.

A Closer Look

The view looks east on lower Manhattan. Most suggest the view was drawn from Weehawken, from variant editions with subtext suggesting such. Nonetheless, based on the actual image, it was almost certainly drawn from a point further south, likely Jersey City. A pastoral scene occupies the foreground, with picnickers enjoying a summer day under the shade of a meticulously illustrated tree. To the right, we can recognize Ellis Island and beyond, Governor's Island. Lower Manhattan and New York Harbor occupy the foreground. Multiple buildings are recognizable, including the Merchant's Exchange (dome) and the steeples of Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel, among others. The harbor is filled with sailing ships, both smaller local vessels and larger oceangoing traders. In the skies above, dramatic clouds underscore the rich shading and tonal complexity a master of aquatints like Garneray could achieve.

Publication History and Census

The view is undated. The original drawing, according to Stokes, likely dates to 1834. Stokes notes the distinctive dome of the Merchant's Exchange, built in 1821, but burned to the ground in 1835. The date can be further narrowed by the absence of the steeple of the Wall Street Presbyterian Church, destroyed by fire in 1834, but rebuilt in 1835. Thus, the view illustrated here can date no later than 1835. The exact printing date of this aquatint view is something of a mystery, but likely between 1835 and 1840. There are other better-known versions of the view, published in New York by Bailly Ward and in France by Basset, featuring additional text below the image. This view is attributed exclusively to Garneray and based on the paper and printing issued in Paris. It may be earlier, later, or contemporaneous with the more well-known Ward / Basset views.