George Harvey, 1841.

HARVEY, George (1800-1878). [Harvey’s Scenes of the Primitive Forest of America. Spring and Winter. London: Charles Vinten, 1841.]

1. Spring. Burning Fallen Trees in a Girdled Clearing. Western Scene.
2. Winter. Impeded Travellers in a Pine Forest. Upper Canada.

Hand-colored lithographs from this rare series (only, of four or five, see lot 180 in the Reese Collection). "Harvey, an English artist who resided in the United States for many years, was intrigued by what he felt to be the unique nature of American light. He proposed publishing a portfolio of forty lithographs depicting 'Atmospheric Landscapes.' Four of these were to show 'Epochs of the Year,' while the other thirty-six would illustrate points in the day from misty dawn to moonlit midnight ... Sadly, only the first part of this wonderful project, that showing the seasons, was published as the present work. The luminous hand-colored lithographs fulfill Harvey's vision of the distinctive slant of light in the American forests" (Pictured to the Life). Pictured to the Life 7.

Two hand-colored lithographs, approx. 347 x 259mm image size on 497 x 398mm sheets (edges chipped and with a few tears). Printed on thick paper, by W.J. Bennett after paintings by Harvey, each with Harvey's copyright blindstamp in top margin. Individually matted. Housed in a cloth solander case, leather label.