This lovely aquatint looks south across the West Point Military Academy parade ground. The Wood Monument dominates the foreground, with a military cadet and two female visitors beside it. The American flag stands tall at center with cadets performing artillery exercises on the parade ground. The administrative buildings of the academy line the background to complete the scene. Drawn by George Catlin and engraved, printed and colored by John Hill.

George Catlin's beloved brother, Julius, attended West Point from 1820-24, which served as part of George's inspiration for creating a pair of views of the famed academy from both northern and southern perspectives. George Catlin was an American artist and traveler who devoted most of his career to using his art to illustrate the customs of the American Indian. Catlin is best known for his important early works on Native Americans. He painted over 600 pictures of the people and their cultural life from 48 different tribes. The work was first published in 1841 as Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North American Indians, and was reissued several times.

John Hill was a British born artist who specialized in watercolor, lithography and etching. He focused on natural subjects, including landscapes, still lifes and ornithological subjects. John W. Hill and his father were two of the most talented and prolific graphic artists in New York during the early 19th century.

References: Deak #356.

Condition: B+

Attractive original color with minor color refreshing on paper with "J. Whatman Turkey Mill" watermark. There are a few tiny spots and professional repairs to a few small chips and tears in blank margins, with one of the repaired tears entering 1/2" into image at top. There is moderate toning on verso.