Artwork
Gowanus Heights, Brooklyn
Gowanus Heights, Brooklyn is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist William Henry Bartlett. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1836, this drawing by British artist William Henry Bartlett captures the Gowanus Heights area of Brooklyn. Executed with brush, brown ink, and a subtle brown wash on wove paper, the work presents a tranquil, undeveloped landscape of rolling hills and scattered trees, devoid of any visible human structures.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the natural topography of the Gowanus region, emphasizing the gentle rise of the hills and the surrounding foliage. By omitting signs of settlement, Bartlett highlights the area's pre‑urban character, offering a visual record of a landscape that would soon be transformed by rapid development.
Technique & Style
Bartlett employed a combination of fine brushwork and ink drawing, layering a brown wash to suggest atmospheric depth. The monochromatic palette and careful delineation of tree trunks and contours reflect the artist’s skill in rendering detail while maintaining a restrained, almost documentary tone.
History & Provenance
During a period of extensive travel across North America, Bartlett produced numerous sketches that were later adapted into steel engravings for publication. This particular drawing, part of his Brooklyn series, remained in his personal collection before entering the holdings of a regional museum in the early 20th century.
Context
The image was produced at a time when Brooklyn was on the cusp of industrial expansion and urbanization. Bartlett’s choice to depict an untouched scene provides insight into the transitional landscape of the mid‑19th century, documenting a fleeting moment before the area’s extensive growth altered its natural features.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Henry Bartlett (26 March 1809 – 13 September 1854) was a British artist, best known for his numerous drawings rendered into steel engravings.
