Scene on Taylor Street

Art Historical Context

Jennie Lewis's "Scene on Taylor Street" is a graphic arts print that captures an evocative urban moment in San Francisco. Now part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection after its transfer from the D.C. Public Library, the work focuses on railings, a walkway, and the street itself, drawing attention to the city's distinctive built environment and dramatic topography. Printmaking as a medium excels at rendering fine lines, textures, and spatial relationships, making it well-suited to portraying the architectural details and steep pathways that characterize Taylor Street. This location is famous for its challenging inclines, which have long shaped daily life and the visual identity of San Francisco. Lewis's depiction highlights how human structures like railings interact with the hilly landscape, offering a glimpse of the city's unique character through accessible graphic arts. The print contributes to a broader tradition of documenting American urban scenes, preserving the cultural and architectural essence of one of the nation's most iconic cities for viewers today. Without a recorded date, it still invites appreciation of San Francisco's enduring streetscapes and the role of prints in sharing such everyday yet striking views.

About the Artist

Jennie Lewis · 1890–1944

Jennie Lewis (1892–1944) was an American painter and printmaker whose lithographs captured the intimate character of San Francisco’s neighborhoods and waterfronts. Born in San Diego, she moved with her family to San Francisco around 1900. She studied under William Merritt Chase at his Carmel summer school in 1914, then continued her training at the California School of Fine Arts with Eric Spencer ...