Illustrated Title Page

1856

William Heine

Associated Names
William Heine

Artist, American, born Germany, 1827 - 1885

Napoleon Sarony

Printer, American, born Canada, 1821 - 1896

G. P. Putnam & Co.

Publisher

This is an illustrated cover titled "Graphic Scenes of the Japan Expedition". The image features a collection of smaller illustrations arranged around the central text, which reads, "GRAPHIC SCENES OF THE JAPAN EXPEDITION BY WM. HEINE ARTIST OF THE EXPEDITION EXECUTED IN COLOURS & TINTS BY SARONY & CO." The smaller vignettes show landscapes, an eagle above an American flag, cultural interactions, and architectural elements reminiscent of Japan. At the bottom, there is a coastal scene with a mountain in the background. The composition is detailed and ornate, illustrating exploration and cultural encounter themes.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    lithograph in brown on wove paper bound with letterpress text

  • Credit Line

    Corcoran Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (closed): 51.44 × 38.1 cm (20 1/4 × 15 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2015.143.1531.11

  • Portfolio Title

    Graphic Scenes of the Japan Expedition

Associated Artworks

See all 11 artworks
The image shows a man standing upright, with his left hand on a chair. He has distinct facial features, short wavy hair, and wears a military uniform. The man is surrounded by a chair, a bicorne hat with a feather, and a sword in a decorative scabbard. The background is plain and formal.

Commodore M. C. Perry

William Heine, Napoleon Sarony, G. P. Putnam & Co.

1856

This is a photograph of a book cover. The cover is brown with a textured appearance and features gold embossed text that reads "GRAPHIC SCENES IN THE JAPAN EXPEDITION, BY WM. HEINE." The spine and corners are reinforced with darker material, showing wear and aging with frayed edges and scuffs.

Graphic Scenes of the Japan Expedition

William Heine, Napoleon Sarony, G. P. Putnam & Co.

1856

The image shows a panoramic view from a hillside overlooking a busy harbor and a distant town. The horizon features a hill with buildings and trees. The town extends over a rise of land with uniform buildings leading to the water, where sailing vessels can be seen. The painting is detailed, depicting architecture and landscape realistically. It uses muted earth tones like greens, browns, and warm shades of terra cotta for roofs, along with soft blues and grays for water and sky. Near the viewer, figures are shown on the hill surrounded by grass and rocks, guiding the eye towards the active harbor and distant town.

Macao from Penha Hill

William Heine, Napoleon Sarony, G. P. Putnam & Co.

1856

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

William Wilson Corcoran, Washington, DC; Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1877; acquired 2015 by the National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Inscriptions

lower left on stone: Lith. of Sarony & Co. N.Y.; lower center on stone: Entered accprding to Act of Congress in the year 1856 by Wm. Heine in the Clerkes Office of the District Court of the Southern District of N. York.
text in image:
Graphic Scenes / of the / Japan Expedition / by / Wm. Heine / Artist of the Expedition / Executed in Colours & Tints by Sarony & Co. / Comprising 10 Plates with a Descriptive Letter Press / No. 1. Portrait of Com. M.C. Perry. / " 2. Macao from Penha hill. / " 3. Pagoda at Whampoa. / " 4. Old China Street in Canton. / " 5. Kung kwa at On-na, Lew Chew. / No. 6. Mia or road side Chapel at Yokuhama. / " 7. Temple at Ben-teng in the harbour at Simoda. / " 8. Street & Bridge at Simoda. / " 9. Temple of Hat-shū man-ya-tshū-ro at Simoda. / " 10. Grave yard at the Simoda dio Zenge. / Price $ 6. Extra fine edition on Bristol boards in portfolio, $ 12

Wikidata ID

Q77013564

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