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DÜRING, C. A. (American, fl. 1827)
Philadelphia von dem grossen Baum zu Kingston. [Philadelphia from the Great Tree of Kingston (i.e. Kensington)]
1827. Pen, watercolour and gouache on wove paper, with integral brown gouache border with ruled lines in black and white, signed, dated and titled beneah the image in white gouache in a cartographic hand "Pinx[it]: C:A: Düring.1827. / Berg Vernon in Virginien". (Old crease, some light surface damage). Sheet size: 18 3/4 x 23 3/4 inches; image size: 14 1/4 x 19 1/2 inches.
A beautiful painting of Philadelphia in the 1820s
This superb painting of Philadelphia by German artist C. A. During depicts the city from just beyond the great elm tree at Kensington on the Delaware.
Unfortunately we have been unable to discover any information regarding the artist of this magnificent view of Philadelphia. Obviously a German artist, the view is typical of German topographical paintings produced towards the middle of the nineteenth century. The heavy gray border and thick painterly technique was a common tool used by artists across Germany, and was particularly favored by landscape painters, who used this artistic framing device to create a sense of depth in their work. This superb view is obviously from the hand of a professional artist whose exquisite technique and meticulous attention to detail is nothing short of breathtaking.
Düring's work presents a familiar view of the city from the great elm at Kensington, under which William Penn concluded his treaty with the Indians in 1682. This view of Philadelphia was a favored vantage point for artists throughout the nineteenth century and was in fact sketched by Benjamin Franklin before he departed for the Continent in 1760. The view of Philadelphia from the Kensington elm is best known through the frontispiece of William and Thomas Birch's famous portfolio of Philadelphia views published in 1798, but it was in fact, used in an earlier view by John James Barralet in 1796. In contrast to the flat panoramic views that characterized early eighteenth century perspectives of American cities, this pastoral approach gained ascendancy toward the end of the century. It represented a more picturesque approach to landscape painting, which would come to characterize topographical views in the nineteenth century.
Düring's magnificent view most closely resembles an engraving of Philadelphia executed by the English engraver George Cooke. Cooke's work, entitled "Philadelphia from the great Tree Kensington, under which Penn made his treaty with the Indians" is almost identical, and was certainly used by During as a model for his view. Published in 1812, Cooke's view of Philadelphia was extremely popular and was widely available throughout Europe. It is highly conceivable that Düring came across this view and used it as a model for his charming painting. A true collector's item, this magnificent view is not only a superb example of German landscape painting, but also a truly unique view of Philadelphia.
Fowble, Two Centuries of Prints in America, 1680-1880, p. 373, no. 258; Snyder, City of Independence, View of Philadelphia before 1800, p. 197-198, p. 224-248.
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#15243 $12,000.00 
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© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
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