The image shows an aerial view of a busy harbor with a cityscape surrounding a river or bay. The horizon line is elevated, meeting the sky at the rooftops of the city in the distance, with tall ship masts and industrial structures visible. Buildings on the horizon create an urban skyline with steeples and chimneys. The brushstrokes are detailed, capturing human and natural elements. Near the foreground, a grassy hill has people and animals engaged in various activities. The color palette includes soft earthy tones for the land and structures, contrasting with pale blues and greys for the water and sky.
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The image shows an aerial view of a busy harbor with a cityscape surrounding a river or bay. The horizon line is elevated, meeting the sky at the rooftops of the city in the distance, with tall ship masts and industrial structures visible. Buildings on the horizon create an urban skyline with steeples and chimneys. The brushstrokes are detailed, capturing human and natural elements. Near the foreground, a grassy hill has people and animals engaged in various activities. The color palette includes soft earthy tones for the land and structures, contrasting with pale blues and greys for the water and sky.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Baltimore from Federal Hill

William James Bennett

Date
published 1831
Medium
color aquatint with touches of etching, hand-colored, on wove paper
Dimensions
sheet (trimmed within plate mark): 53.2 x 67.2 cm (20 15/16 x 26 7/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
1985.64.120
Credit line
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon
Time span
1826 to 1850
Department
CG-W

Subjects and terms

  • American
  • etching
  • aquatint
  • exterior
  • architecture
  • Cityscape
  • Baltimore
  • MD
Inscription

across bottom in graphite: Proof before all letters --. Baltimore from Federal Hill. Engraved by W.J. Bennett 1831 5/8 in margin top & sides

NGA object ID 66521. 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.