This is a photograph of a neoclassical building with columns and a pediment. The building features a façade with columns supporting a triangular pediment, adorned with a sculptural relief depicting a classical figure with a shield and a chariot. Below the pediment are rectangular windows, and beneath them is a balcony with a balustrade railing. A lamp post can be seen near the entrance, with steps leading up to several doorways. Signs indicate it is likely a public venue, possibly a theater, given the poster advertising performances. The photograph is in sepia tone, giving it a historic quality.
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This is a photograph of a neoclassical building with columns and a pediment. The building features a façade with columns supporting a triangular pediment, adorned with a sculptural relief depicting a classical figure with a shield and a chariot. Below the pediment are rectangular windows, and beneath them is a balcony with a balustrade railing. A lamp post can be seen near the entrance, with steps leading up to several doorways. Signs indicate it is likely a public venue, possibly a theater, given the poster advertising performances. The photograph is in sepia tone, giving it a historic quality.

National Gallery of Art · Photograph

Arch St. Theatre, Arch at 6th St., Philadelphia

Frederick DeBourg Richards

Date
c. 1859
Medium
salted paper print
Dimensions
image: 21.6 × 16.8 cm (8 1/2 × 6 5/8 in.) sheet: 22 × 17.4 cm (8 11/16 × 6 7/8 in.)
Classification
Photograph
Accession number
2018.23.22
Credit line
Gift of Charles Isaacs and Carol Nigro Ph.D
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CPH

Subjects and terms

  • American
  • Street
  • salted paper print
  • Theater
  • Architecture
  • Philadelphia
  • cityscape
Provenance

(Richard Rosenthal, Philadelphia, PA); Charles Isaacs and Carol Nigro Collection, New York, 2000; gift to NGA, 2018.

Inscription

on verso, by unknown hand, on lower left, in blue graphite: Arch St. Theatre / 6th + Arch Sts

NGA object ID 212293. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.