Capitol at Washington

c. 1850

Nathaniel Currier

Associated Names
Nathaniel Currier

Publisher, American, 1813 - 1888

The image shows a three-quarter view of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The view is slightly elevated, providing a detailed look at the architecture. The sky is light with subtle clouds. The drawing style is precise with fine lines and shading techniques. The color palette is mainly blacks, whites, and grays, with hints of color in figures and trees. Figures in period clothing are shown close to the Capitol, some walking or conversing. A horse-drawn carriage and additional people are included. Trees in the distance frame the building on the right side.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    hand-colored lithograph on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Corcoran Collection (Museum Purchase, Mary E. Maxwell Fund)

  • Dimensions

    image: 20.48 × 31.75 cm (8 1/16 × 12 1/2 in.)
    sheet: 31.75 × 42.55 cm (12 1/2 × 16 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2015.19.801

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Reilly 1984, no. 885

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(The Old Print Shop, New York); Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1953; acquired 2015 by the National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1963

  • Progress of An American Collection, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1963

1982

  • Washington on the Potomac, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1982, p. 6

Bibliography

1970

  • Conningham, Frederic A. Currier and Ives Prints: An Illustrated Check List. New York: Crown Publishers, 1970, p. 43, no. 793.

1984

  • Reilly, Bernard F., Jr. Currier & Ives, A Catalogue Raisonné: A Comprehensive Catalogue of the Lithographs of Nathaniel Currier, James Merrit Ives and Charles Currier, including Ephemera Associated with the Firm, 1834-1907, volume 1. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Company, 1984, p. 91, no. 0885.

Inscriptions

Text at bottom of stone:
Lith. & Pub. by N. Currier. / 152 Nassau St. Cor. of Spruce N.Y. / Capitol at Washington / 612.

Wikidata ID

Q77008924

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