Temple of Ben-teng in the Harbor of Simoda

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

The image shows the Temple of Ben-Teng in the harbor of Simoda. The viewpoint is slightly elevated, capturing the harbor scene. The horizon line is high, with distant rolling hills and mountains blending into a sky with heavy clouds. In the center, a group of people in blue, red, and earthy colors manage a boat on the shore. Further back, a rocky island with green trees and a small temple structure emerges from the harbor. The colors are earthy and muted with harmonious greens, grays, and browns. Brushstrokes are detailed and precise, creating a detailed yet atmospheric scene. The background smoothly transitions from detailed foreground to misty mountains and skies in the distance.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    chromolithograph with hand-coloring on wove paper mounted to Bristol board

  • Credit Line

    Corcoran Collection

  • Dimensions

    image: 20.32 × 29.85 cm (8 × 11 3/4 in.)
    sheet: 23.81 × 33.02 cm (9 3/8 × 13 in.)
    board: 37.94 × 51.91 cm (14 15/16 × 20 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2015.143.1531.7

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

text on stone: W. Heine del. / Lith. of Sarony & Co. 117 Fulton St. New York. / Temple of Ben-teng in the Harbor of Simoda / (No. 7.)

Wikidata ID

Q77013552

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