 |
|
|
|
|
HILDEBRANDT, Eduard (1818-1869)
[The Feather Store or 'Old Cocked Hat', Boston]
1844. Water-colour over traces of pencil heightened with touches of bodycolour, on thick paper, signed and dated "Boston Oktob. 1844. E. Hildebrandt". Sheet size: 7 1/8 x 10 inches.
A highly evocative image of the 'Old Feather Store' or 'Old Cocked Hat' which formerly stood on the corner of North Street and Market Square in Boston.
'The "Old Cocked Hat," or the "Feather Store" as it was more familiarly known stood at the corner formed by North Street and Market Square, and bore the date of its erection 1680, plainly upon the gable end facing Dock Square, until the whole structure was demolished in 1860. Its name "Old Cocked Hat" was derived from a fancied resemblance to the cocked hats worn during the war of Independence. Its later name arose from the fact of its long being occupied by dealers in feathers... The building was of wood, covered with plaster on the outside, with which were mixed fragments of glass bottles. Numerous ornamental figures were traced upon the rough surface. On two sides, south and south west, the water once flowed, and in digging not far from here, some years ago..., the capstan and ring bolt of the old wharf were uncovered within the present sidewalk." (James Henry Stark Antique Views of Boston, p.36). The 'Feather store' was reproduced in a number of 19th century prints from drawings by William Henry Bartlett, Fitz Hugh Lane and others. The latter's image, published in 1835, shows the building to have been occupied at that time by John Simpson jnr. who in addition to feathers, mattresses and bedticking, also stocked upholstery goods. The right half of the building seems to have been occupied by a cobbler and dealer in leather goods.
Hildebrandt was a pupil of the marine painter Wilhelm Kreuse and also spent six months in the studio of Eugene Isabey. In 1843 he met Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1855) who introduced him to Frederik William IV. The latter, in 1844, commissioned him to paint Rio de Janeiro. On his return he visited Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Buffalo and Niagara Falls and during his travels drew a number of open air studies in water-colours.
|
#3462 $4,000.00 
|
© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
