Old House in Rector Street, from "Scenes of Old New York"

Art Historical Context

Step into the shadowy charm of 19th-century New York with Henry Farrer's *Old House in Rector Street an etching from his evocative series *Scenes of Old York* (1870). This print captures a weathered house on Rector Street in Lower Manhattan, a remnant of colonial-era architecture amid the city's explosive growth. Farrer, British-American artist and member of the New York Etching Club, skillfully documented these vanishing urban vignettes, preserving the grit and grace of old Gotham before skyscrapers and modernization erased them. Etching allowed Farrer to achieve fine, expressive lines that convey texture and atmosphere—the rough stone facade, narrow windows, and subtle play of light evoke a sense of nostalgic melancholy. Measuring just 6 x 5 3/8 inches on the plate, this diminutive work packs a punch, highlighting etching's rise in the 19th century as a democratic medium for original art, bypassing mass lithography. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Edward W. C. Arnold Collection, this piece invites us to ponder New York's transformation—from quiet streets lined with historic homes to the bustling metropolis we know today. A window into a bygone era, it reminds visitors of the artistry in everyday scenes.

About the Artist

Henry Farrer · 1844–1903

Henry Farrer (1843–1903) was a British-born American etcher and watercolorist who played a significant role in the development of the etching revival in the United States during the latter half of the nineteenth century. Born in London, Farrer emigrated to the United States, where he became a founding member of the New York Etching Club in 1877, an organization that brought together American print...