Chromolithography: The Art of Color
Landscapes -2-

[ Page 1 | Exhibit index ]

In the second half of the nineteenth century, print publishers began to issue chromolithographs that were intended to duplicate the appearance of oil paintings. This style of print was developed by Prang & Co. out of Boston, but soon other publishers joined in. These prints were a way for Americans of the middle class to hang art work that had the appearance of oil paintings in their homes at prices they could afford. Colton, Zahm, & Roberts was a firm from New York that issued a number of these prints, including this lovely view of Yosemite Valley, with Cathedral Rock in the distance. The artist was listed on the original label, but it has been so worn as to be illegible. The composition and quality of this print indicates the artist was of some skill. With the handsome original frame, this is a fine example of American printmaking in the post-Civil War period. $1,600

James M. Hart. "Scene near Farmington, Ct. Autumn." Boston: L. Prang & Co., 1871. Chromolithograph. 9 x 16. Mounted on board with original label. Slight blemish in sky. Otherwise, very good condition. In period frame.

Louis Prang was the most successful American publisher of chromolithographs partly because he had a good sense of what the general public liked. One of the most popular subjects for art was views of American scenes, and this charming image of the landscape near Farmington, Connecticut is a fine example of such a view by Prang. Taken from a painting by James M. Hart, and it is a fine scene of New England in the autumn. $475

"On the Saco River, New Hampshire. Ca. 1870-80. Chromolithograph. 9 x 13 1/4. Mounted on board as issued. Very good condition. In period frame.

Chromolithography was developed by publishers in the later part of the nineteenth century as a medium to produce inexpensive prints that filled the demand for attractive images to hang in homes of those that could not afford original paintings. One of the more popular subject matters for these prints was American views. This charming image shows the Saco River in New Hampshire. $275

John Ross Key. "Stockbridge Bowl. Lenox, Mass." Chromolithograph. 8 3/8 x 14 4/8. Mounted on board, as issued. With original (worn) label. In period frame, with considerable wear but still attractive. Very good condition.

John Ross Key (1832-1920) was a landscape painter and illustrator, born in Hagerstown, Maryland. He was the grandson of Francis Scott Key, author of "The Star Spangled Banner." Educated in Munich and Paris, Key worked in Boston for a number of years and achieved fame as an illustrator of the Union siege of Charleston, S.C. during the American Civil War. After the hostilities Key wanted to return to peaceful scenes and a celebration of the beauties of landscape. During the second part of the nineteenth century, Key produced a number of charming painting of American scenes which were subsequently turned into chromolithographs. This type of print, best known from those produced by Prang & Co., were intended to duplicate the appearance of original oil paintings, thus allowing middle class Americans to hang attractive and sophisticated art in their homes. This is a fine example of both Key's art and an American chromolithograph. Issued by H. Wood, Jr. as part of "Wood's American Chromos," the scene is of the Stockbridge Bowl in western Massachusetts. $450

John Ross Key. "Evening on Cheat River." New York: H. Wood, Jr., ca. 1870. Chromolithograph. 7 1/2 x 14. Mounted on board, as issued. With original label. In fine period frame. Light waterspot in sky. Otherwise, very good condition.

Another view from Wood's American Chromos series by J.R. Key. This one is of the Cheat River in West Virginia. $325

Attributed to Guido Hampe (German School). [Scene in Europe] Cincinnati: William M. Donaldson, circa. 1873-85. Chromolithograph. 21 1/2 x 29 1/2. In period frame 26 x 34. Repaired tears in upper right sky and on hills to right; inpainted. Ref.: Marzio, Democratic Art, 179 and Last, Color Explosion, 68-69.

An example of a large American chromolithograph by the famed Donaldson Lithographing Company. Peter Marzio, discussing oleographs as a "German variety of chromo that was printed in dark, thick inks and heavily coated with varnish" describes this view as possibly one of twenty-six based on works by German artists that Donaldson advertised "in about 1880." The printing method would appeal to German-Americans in the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, and the subject matter of European landscapes by the prolific and popular Hampe (1839-1903) fits his work. Hampe's oils all are landscapes of European, especially German and Swiss, landscapes. That the credit at lower left is to "W. M. Donaldson" is indicative that he was on his own after his first partner Henry Elmes died in 1872. A lovely example of art for the immigrant. $250

Return to page one of chromolithographic landscapes

Place Order

To Contact us, call, write, fax or e-mail to:

8441 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118 USA
(215) 242-4750 [Phone]
(215) 242-6977 [Fax]
PhilaPrint@PhilaPrintShop.com

©The Philadelphia Print Shop, Ltd. Last updated October 8, 2008