Church of the Holy Apostles, New York City

Art Historical Context

Step into the intricate world of 19th-century American architecture with Alexander Jackson Davis's *Church of the Holy Apostles, York City* (1845). This watercolor, ink, and drawing on paper captures the Gothic Revival design of a Manhattan landmark, showcasing Davis's mastery in rendering soaring spires, pointed arches, and ornate details that evoke medieval grandeur. Measuring 19 7/8 x 10 3/8 inches, it's a preparatory study from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection, acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund 1924. Davis, a leading architect of the Romantic er...

About the Artist

Alexander Jackson Davis · 1803–1892

Alexander Jackson Davis (1803–1892) was a pioneering American architect whose imaginative designs helped define the nation's picturesque country house tradition. Born in New York City on July 24, 1803, Davis received an informal education, studying drawing at the American Academy of the Fine Arts, the New-York Drawing Association, and the antique casts at the National Academy of Design. He apprent...