Central Park (Summer)
Medium
Lithograph, printed in colors
Dimensions
image: 11 3/4 x 17 11/16 in. (29.9 x 45 cm) sheet: 16 5/8 x 23 1/4 in. (42.3 x 59 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1947
Accession Number
47.53.9
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant heart of 19th-century New York *Central Park (Summer)* a stunning 1865 chromolithograph created by John Bachmann in collaboration with lithographers Julius Bien and Edmund Foerster Co. Measuring about 12 x 18 inches, this colorful print captures the lush greenery and winding paths of Central Park during its early years, just a decade after its 1858 opening. Produced via lithography—a revolutionary printing technique that allowed for vivid, multi-color reproductions—this work exemplifies the era's booming market for affordable urban vistas, bringing the city's newest gem to homes across America. Central Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux as an antidote to the industrial grind of Manhattan, symbolized democratic leisure amid rapid urbanization. Bachmann's panoramic perspective highlights the park's idyllic summer allure: leafy canopies, serene lakes, and strolling figures evoking escape and renewal. As a product of the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it preserves a snapshot of New York City's transformation into a modern metropolis. This lithograph not only showcases masterful color layering for lifelike depth but also reflects lithography's cultural role in democratizing art, making iconic landmarks accessible to the masses. A delightful window into Gilded Age optimism!
About the Artist
John Bachmann|Julius Bien|Edmund Foerster & Co. (American, Swiss|American) · 1814 |1826 –1896 |1909
American, born Switzerland, 1814/15–1896|American (born Germany), Naumberg 1826–1909 United States