Oil Tanks, Clark & Sumner, Standard Petroleum Refinery, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

c. 1865

Thomas H. Johnson

Associated Names
Thomas H. Johnson

Artist, American, born 1821

The image shows three large industrial tanks made of metal and brick, positioned slightly off-center to the right. These structures dominate much of the space closest to us. Above the tanks, the horizon is visible, obscured slightly by low hills that stretch across the image and are populated with sparse trees. The overall tone of the image is sepia. The brushstrokes are not applicable as the image appears to be a photograph. The composition features a pale sky, enhancing the earthy colors of the tanks and the ground below.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    stereoscopic albumen silver prints

  • Credit Line

    Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund

  • Dimensions

    image/sheet (each): 7.6 × 8 cm (3 × 3 1/8 in.)
    mount: 8 × 17.1 cm (3 1/8 × 6 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2017.93.6

  • Series Title

    Johnson’s Photographic Views in The Oil Regions of Pennsylvania

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Richard Healey, Hants, UK; NGA purchase, 2017.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

on verso, by unknown hand, upper center in black ink: Standard Petroleum Refinery.; center printed in black ink: JOHNSON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS / IN / THE OIL REGIONS OF PENNSYLVANIA. / No. [by unknown hand in black ink: 1346. Oil Tanks.] / Published by T.H. JOHNSON, 390 Bowery, New York / [BAILEY, PRINTER.]; by unknown hand, lower center in black ink: Clark & Sumner. / Pittsburgh, Pa.

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