Rare City Scape of New York, American Hotel and City Hotel

Unsigned, ca. 1840
Watercolor and gouache on paper
23 ½” x 30 ½” with frame
Over-all in good condition, some staining and toning, creases wear.
In a period walnut frame
With artistic license taken, this fanciful city scape depicting the American Hotel and the City Hotel (opened in 1804) were both on Broadway by 1840, however a distance apart from one another. The “New York Clothing Store” is also identified on one building with the Hudson River active with ships on the other side. The linear graphic design of the buildings coupled with the folky figures and ships sailing on the river adds to this charming piece of American folk art.