‘Drawn By New York’ At The New-York Historical Society’

Archibald Robertson's view up Wall Street preserves a view at the right of New York's second City Hall at the corner of Wall and Nassau Streets after its transformation into Federal Hall by Major Pierre-Charles L'Enfant. It became the exclusive site of the new federal government, serving as the first capitol building (1789–90). On its balcony, George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States. Demolished in 1812, it was also the first home of the New-York Historical Society (1804–09). "View up Wall Street with City Hall [Federal Hall] and Trinity Church, New York City,” Archibald Robertson, circa 1798, watercolor, black ink and graphite on paper; 8½ by 11¼ inches. Gift of Sophia Minton, granddaughter of David Grim.

The society has seen fit to correct that situation with a wide ranging exploration of the historically important watercolor and drawings collection, and has subsequently mounted the landmark exhibition, "Drawn By New York: Six Centuries of Watercolors and Drawings at the New-York Historical Society."

The exhibition features 190 remarkable works that were carefully culled from the NYHS collection, many on public display for the first time. Featured watercolors and drawings in the exhibition follow a timeline of sorts, beginning with a stunning selection of Sixteenth Century works and ending with a powerful display of contemporary images — some of which relate to 9/11. The exhibition, on view through January 7, affords a rare glimpse into the extensive depth and range of the society's holdings.

Founded in 1804, NYHS operates a museum and library that house collections spanning four centuries and documenting American historical artifacts, art and other materials that reflect the impact and influences that New York City and the state had on the history of the United States. NYHS is widely acknowledged as a preeminent educational and research institution, home to the nation's oldest museum and one of the nation's most distinguished independent research libraries.

James Bard and his twin brother, John, were born into a modest laborer's family in Manhattan. The Bard brothers grew up near the steamboat piers on the Hudson River, where they watched the passing ships and together developed an interest in their depiction. "Steamboat Sylvan Dell,” circa 1872–1886, James Bard, gouache, watercolor, pastel, graphite and metallic pigment on paper laid on board, 24 3/8 by 39 inches.

The society's watercolor and drawings collection began innocently enough in 1816 with the donation of two pastel drawings that depicted "eminent American men and were thus deemed documentary records of historical significance," stated Dr Roberta J.M. Olson, curator of drawings at NYHS and the curator of the e xhibition, in the foreword of the accompanying catalog. "Having one's portrait taken was an index of personal prosperity and also signaled a more established country," she continued.

Just nine years after its founding, a NYHS catalog from 1813 reveals that the collections had soared in size to include 4,265 books, 234 volumes of historically significant US documents, 119 almanacs, 130 different newspapers, 134 maps and 30 assorted views, several oil portraits and 38 engraved portraits.