The Green at Fredericton

Location

Country: Other
City: storage

In the foreground of this view of Fredericton, New Brunswick, people enjoy leisure time on the river in rowing boats and punts, while small groups gather on the green. Behind them, the towers of several churches rise above the trees.

This is one of four images of Fredericton, New Brunswick, drawn by William Henry Bartlett and first published in ‘Canadian Scenery Illustrated’ in 1840. The title of the print, ‘The Green at Fredericton’, is printed below the image in three languages: English, French and German. Bartlett’s other views of the town include ‘Fredericton from the opposite side of the River’ and ‘The Governor's House, Fredericton’.

‘Canadian Scenery Illustrated’ was written by American author, poet and editor Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806-1867) and published by George Virtue (1794–1868) in London. The volume was also published in France under the title ‘Canada Pittoresque’. It was illustrated with 120 plates after designs by Bartlett.

William Henry Bartlett was born in London. He was apprenticed to antiquary and draughtsman John Britton, who sent him around the country making sketches, some of which became illustrations to Britton’s publications. In the 1830s and ‘40s, Bartlett travelled through Europe, the Middle East and North America. He visited North America four times between 1836 and 1854, making illustrations for ‘American Scenery’ (1840) and ‘Canadian Scenery’ (1842), both by Nathaniel P. Willis. In the mid-1840s, Bartlett began writing and illustrating his own publications including ‘History of the United States of America’ (1856). He also edited ‘Sharpe’s London Magazine’ (1849-52). He died unexpectedly, aged 45, returning from Asia Minor and was buried at sea.
James Charles Armytage, line and stipple engraver, specialised in small book illustrations after the work of contemporary artists, including engravings for John Ruskin’s ‘Modern Painter’s’ (1843-60). Armytage also produced engravings after J. M. W. Turner, Sir William Quiller Orchardson, Eyre Crowe, Jean-Léon Gérôme and Briton Rivière for ‘The Art Journal’. In his later years he was known as one of the last to specialise in line engraving. Armytage is thought to have produced over 200 plates during his career. He may have been a relative of Charles Armytage, who exhibited 17 watercolours at the Society of British Artists, Suffolk Street, between 1863 and 1874.

Places

Canada, New Brunswick

Subjects

canoe, topography, townscape/cityscape, river bank, river, man, woman, military uniform, soldier, house, church, spire, tower, sailboat, oar

Materials & Techniques

engraving, coloured engraving

Artist

William Henry Bartlett (1809 - 1854)
James Charles Armytage (1802 - 1897)

Title

The Green at Fredericton

Date

published 1842

Medium

Coloured engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Parker Gallery, September 1976

GAC number

12464