|
||
|
|
|
|
Fine Early View of West Point by William James Bennett
Dramatic view of the Hudson and West Point: focusing 'on the beauty of the Hudson River and the mountains that border it on either side ... a celebration of nature, highlighting the ever-changing drama staged by mountains, water, and sky' (Deak).
William James Bennett (c. 1787-1844) was an English born artist, who received his training at the Royal Academy. He moved to the United States in 1826, and where he became a well acocomplished maker of views of American cities, including the Hudson Valley Region, Niagara Falls, New York, Charleston, and Buffalo.
With the arrival of William Bennett and several other émigré artists such as William Guy Wall, and John Hill, the quality of aquatint engraving in America was elevated to a level equaling, or perhaps even surpassing, that of European printmakers. This print was published at the beginning of an important period in the history of American topographical-view making.
As noted by Deak
Bennett cre four prints after paintings by George Cooke (1793-1849) in his series of views of American cities ... American-born George Cooke was a prolific painter of portraits, views, and historical subjects. He painted this scene of West Point in 1832 after he had left New York ... for .. the Catskill mountains' (Deak, William James Bennett p.78). 'Cooke benefited from the remarkable craftsmanship of ... Bennett, who endowed the rendering with a radiant quality' (Deak Picturing America p.277).