Artwork
U.S. Armory in Harpers Ferry
U.S. Armory in Harpers Ferry is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Woldemar Rau. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. U.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left on stone: WR [reversed] text on stone: Album of Virginia. / Taken from Nature by Ed. Beyer / Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1857 by Ed. Beyer in the Clerks Office of the District of Virginia / Rau & Son, Lith. Dresden. / U.S. Armory in Harpers Ferry. / Jefferson County Va.
About this work
Overview
U.S. Armory in Harpers Ferry is a color lithograph on wove paper created by Woldemar Rau in 1857, depicting a serene landscape with industrial and natural elements.
Subject & Meaning
The print illustrates the U.S. Armory in Harpers Ferry, a weapons manufacturing site, set within a picturesque valley. The scene balances industrial activity, evident in the train and long factory-like building, with the tranquility of surrounding forests, hills, and a winding river.
Technique & Style
Rau employed lithography to achieve a distinctive blend of soft colors and sharp lines, effectively rendering both the architectural details of the armory and the expansive natural landscape.
History & Provenance
Created in 1857, specific provenance details of the print are not provided, though its depiction offers a historical glimpse into the armory's setting during that period.
Context
The work reflects the mid-19th century's intersection of industrial development and natural beauty, common in American landscapes of the time. The armory's presence highlights the site's strategic importance for weapons production.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
