Chesnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia

1855

James McClees

Associated Names
James McClees

Artist, American, 1821 - 1887

The image shows a street view of a historic theater building. The perspective is from across the street, looking slightly upward at the facade of the theater. The image focuses on the architectural details of the theater, including classic columns, arched entryways, stonework, and statues in alcoves. The image has a sepia tone, giving it a vintage quality. Posters and signs along the sidewalk advertise performances, adding a sense of cultural activity. Street lamps line the sidewalk, leading the eye down the street towards more buildings in the distance. The color palette is limited to shades of brown and beige.

Media Options

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

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    albumen silver print

  • Credit Line

    Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund

  • Dimensions

    mount: 39.05 × 28.89 cm (15 3/8 × 11 3/8 in.)
    image/sheet: 23.4 × 17.4 cm (9 3/16 × 6 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2017.66.1


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(William L. Schaeffer / Photographs, Chester, CT); NGA purchase, 2015.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2019

  • The Eye of the Sun: Nineteenth-Century Photographs from the National Gallery of Art, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2019, unnumbered catalogue.

Inscriptions

by unknown hand, lower left below image on mount in graphite: old Chesnut St. Theatre; on verso, top right corner in graphite: WSL - 00165

Markings

artist blind stamp in lower right corner on mount: PHOTOGRAPH / --BY-- / McCLEES / 160 CHESNUT ST / PHILAD'A

Wikidata ID

Q64155460

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