Name/Title
SUNNYSIDE, RESIDENCE OF WASHINGTON IRVINGEntry/Object ID
L.2007.292Description
The work of the beloved American author Washington Irving contributed to Americans' sentiment for the Hudson River and the region surrounding it. Sunnyside, the author's own home along the bank of the river, became well known, not only as the author's residence, but as a symbol of American home life during the mid-19th century. With its stepped gables and wisteria-covered walls, the cottage proved irresistible to commercial artists of all types and exemplified American cottage style for many admirers.
This image of the house, with a view of the Hudson in the distance was the half title page for a fine single-volume edition of Irving's The Sketch-book of Geoffrey Crayon, published in 1860, the year after the author's death.
Steel engraving of figures on the lawn at Sunnyside: in right foreground, low shrubs; in center foreground, a small dog runs after a woman holding a parasol walking away from the viewer; in the distance, a man and a girl sit on a bench beneath a tree; on the right is Sunnyside cottage, covered in vines; between the viewer and the house, the drive; in the left background, the river and two sailboats; on bottom left, printed: "J. D. Smillie."; on bottom right, printed: "Ja. Smillie"; below the scene, printed title: "Sunnyside, _ Residence of Washington Irving"; on bottom, printed: "NEW YORK.G. P. PUTNAM. 1860."; printed in top right corner, a miniscule "1" enclosed in a circle.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
James SmillieAttribution
EngraverManufacturer
G. P. PutnamDate made
1860Dimensions
Dimension Description
OverallHeight
5 inWidth
4-1/4 inDimension Notes
Display Dimensions: 5 x 4 1/4 in. (12.7 x 10.8 cm)Condition
Notes
Remarks: Traces of pencil along edges; writing in pencil, bottom right; soil, throughout; yellow stain, bottom left; small tears, bottom corners; recto is stained, soiled, and discolored.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
William DieboldNotes
Former ownerGeneral Notes
Note Type
Curatorial RemarksNote
Diebold Box #52Note Type
StorageNoteNote
Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Administrative Office, Archive Room, Shelf O3, B9Note Type
DepartmentNote
Library