New York Harbor
Thomas Birch
(American (born in England), 1779–1851)
about 1827–35
Medium/TechniqueOil on canvas
Dimensions51.43 x 77.2 cm (20 1/4 x 30 3/8 in.)
Credit LineGift of Martha C. Karolik for the M. and M. Karolik Collection of American Paintings, 1815–1865
Accession number47.1181
On View
On viewClassificationsPaintings
Collections
Birch immigrated to Philadelphia at the age of fifteen. He became known for marine and battle paintings and created views of many harbors along the eastern seaboard. Here, several New York landmarks are visible in the background, including Castle Williams, a circular fort on Governor's Island, and the distant steeple of Trinity Church. A light-filled depiction of a peaceful harbor, this painting demonstrates the artist's skill at capturing the movement of the water and the filling of the sails with wind.
InscriptionsReverse, before relining: New York/T. Birch/Phila.ProvenanceThe artist; Cornelius Michaelson, New York; with I. Podgoursky, New York; with Charles D. Childs, Boston, 1938; to Maxim Karolik, Newport, R.I.; to MFA, 1947, gift of Martha C. (Mrs. Maxim) Karolik.
