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Columbus First Sighting of the New World

This rare and finely executed print portrays Christopher Columbus aboard his ship, capturing the moment following the first sighting of land in the New World. At the center, Columbus stands with quiet determination, holding a partially opened Portolan Sea chart in his left hand. The chart reveals a faint outline of the European coast, and a large compass rose, symbolizing the vast Atlantic expanse and the navigational ambition that fueled his journey. His gaze, directed towards the horizon, conveys a profound sense of purpose, while the surrounding sailors display varied emotions—hope, weariness, and awe—each rendered with remarkable detail and emotional depth.

This work is a galvanograph by the esteemed engraver Franz Seraph Hanfstaengl, based on a painting by German artist Christian Ruben (1805–1875), painted around 1840. Galvanography, an innovative 19th-century technique, involved creating a durable copper plate through electrochemical means, allowing for fine details and tonal subtleties. Hanfstaengl's galvanograph shows evidence of intaglio techniques like aquatint, engraving, and possibly dry point. These methods enable the creation of complex textures and contrasts—seen in the soft tones of the sky, the shadowed folds of the sailors' clothing, and the sharp, precise lines of the ship’s rigging.

Published in 1850 as a keepsake for members of the Munich Association of Artists, this print demonstrates Hanfstaengl’s technical mastery and commitment to translating Ruben’s painting into print. Ruben’s original painting, now in the National Gallery in Prague, likely inspired similar works in Germany and Philadelphia soon after 1850, each paying homage to this iconic portrayal of Columbus and his voyage.

Rarity

The print is quite rare. We locate only the example referenced in The Hampton L. Carson collection of engraved portraits of American naval commanders and early American explorers and navigators, also American sea and land battles, sold at auction in 1905 by Davis & Harvey, Philadelphia.

We have handled a hand-colored version once in the past.