View of New York from the North, 1679

Art Historical Context

This lithograph captures a panoramic view of New York as it appeared in 1679, offering a rare glimpse into the city’s early colonial era when was still a modest Dutch settlement known as New. Created in 1867, the print reflects 19th-century interest in documenting and preserving America’s historical origins, long after the original landscape had transformed into a bustling metropolis. The work was produced using lithography with tint stones, a technique prized in the Victorian period for its ability to suggest subtle color and atmospheric depth in black-and-white prints. Listed as a proof before letters, it represents an early stage in the printing process, before titles or inscriptions were added. The multiple names associated with the image—George Hayward, James Carson Breevoort, and Jasper Danckaerts—point to a collaborative effort blending 17th-century observation with later artistic interpretation. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of the Edward W. C. Arnold Collection, this print highlights how 19th-century artists used new reproductive technologies to bring historical views to wider audiences, connecting viewers with New York’s architectural beginnings.

About the Artist

George Hayward|James Carson Breevoort|Jasper Danckaerts (American or British|American, born England) · 1728 |1800 –1744 |1872

American or British, active 1728–44|American (born England), Deal 1800–1872 Brooklyn, New York