Artwork

Antique Shop, New York

Antique Shop, New York, by Earl Horter, ink, 1916
Antique Shop, New York, by Earl Horter, ink, 1916

Antique Shop, New York is an ink print by Earl Horter. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Antique Shop, New York is an etching executed by American artist Earl Horter around 1916. The work is part of the print collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It measures the artist’s interest in urban scenes and the atmospheric qualities achievable through the intaglio process.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a densely built cityscape dominated by a tall, weathered structure whose numerous windows suggest an aged commercial block. In the foreground, a grouping of vase‑like forms rests on a low wall, hinting at discarded decorative objects. The composition conveys a mood of neglect, emphasizing the passage of time on the urban environment.

Technique & Style

Created by traditional copper‑plate etching, Horter employed fine, dark lines and cross‑hatching to render texture and depth. The tonal contrasts achieved through acid‑bitten areas and hand‑applied shading give the scene a somber, almost monochromatic atmosphere, characteristic of early twentieth‑century American printmaking.

History & Provenance

The print entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings as part of its early twentieth‑century American prints acquisition. Its date, circa 1916, places it within Horter’s productive period when he was documenting New York’s architectural landscape, reflecting both his technical skill and his observational focus on the city’s changing face.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Earl Horter

Artist

Earl Horter

Earl Horter was an American painter, illustrator, printmaker, teacher and art collector.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.