This beautiful and important original watercolor views 1801 New York from across the East River in Brooklyn. The distant church spires rise to form the city's earliest 'skyline'. Foreground tree limbs frame this panoramic view with sailing ships and commercial vessels traversing the river.

This watercolor was used to create an engraving that was published in 1803. Only three of the hand-colored engravings are known to have survived; they are in the collections of the New York Public Library, the New York Historical Society and a private collector. Our Perfect Recreation™ of the original watercolor is the first and only known reproduction of this wonderful image since 1803.

About William Birch

Birch was already a very successful and highly regarding painter when he left London for America in the late 18th century. His well-known marine paintings led to quick fame in "the States', but his most important work is his first watercolor view of New York City.

American patrons of the arts embraced him as quickly as he embraced their flourishing new country. For Birch, the rapidly growing cities of New York and Philadelphia best showed the potential of this new country founded on the idea of liberty.