Bird’s-eye views such as this one were immensely popular in the mid- to late 19th century. Often commissioned by city officials, these artistic views typically highlighted a city’s industrial growth, cutting-edge transportation facilities, and notable public spaces. Abutting the New State House, Boston Common features prominently in Wilhelm Aarland’s view, with park-goers scattered among tree-lined malls and the eye-catching Brewer Fountain; installed in 1868, the fountain was the first piece of public art featured on the Common. Meanwhile, steamships, fishing vessels, carriages, and trains converge upon a bustling city dotted with historic landmarks, commercial buildings, and church spires.
Bird's-eye view.
Text on verso, titled Eine Freistatt des wahren Menschenthums, Americanisches characterbild, von A. Douai.
From Die Gartenlaube, issue 23, pages 363-366 (Leipzig : Ernst Keil, 1866).
In German.
Notes (date):
This date is inferred.
Notes (exhibitions):
Exhibited: "Breathing Room: Mapping Boston's Green Spaces" organized by the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library, 2018.
IIIF Manifest