View Near Fishkill (No. 17 of The Hudson River Portfolio)
John Hill|William Guy Wall|Henry J. Megarey, 1823–24
About this artwork
"View Near Fishkill," plate 17 from *The Hudson River Portfolio* (1823–24), captures the serene beauty of the Hudson River Valley in New York, featuring houses nestled among trees along a winding river. This aquatint print, the first state of two or, was produced by English engraver John Hill after original drawings by Irish-American artist William Guy Wall, with by Henry J. Megy. Measuring about 14 x 20 inches, its hand-colored details bring the landscape vividly to life, evoking the region's pastoral charm. *The Hudson River Portfolio*, issued in 20 parts from 1821 to 1825, was a pioneering affordable print series celebrating America's natural wonders. It played a key role in fostering national pride and the emerging Hudson River School aesthetic, which emphasized sublime wilderness and everyday scenery. Wall's watercolor-inspired compositions, translated into Hill's masterful aquatints, allowed middle-class viewers to own artistic souvenirs of the Hudson, a vital trade artery symbolizing Manifest Destiny. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Edward W. C. Arnold Collection, this print exemplifies early color printing techniques, where aquatint's etched tonal gradients mimic painting's softness. A testament to 19th-century innovation, it invites us to appreciate how art democratized America's landscapes for all.