Fortress Monroe, Old Point Comfort and Hygeia Hotel, Va.
Publisher
Charles Magnus
(American, active 1854-1879)
Publisher
E. Sachse & Co.
(American)
Date1861
MediumLithograph
DimensionsOverall: 18 x 28 in. (45.7 x 71.1 cm)
Overall, Mat: 24 5/8 x 33 5/8 in. (62.5 x 85.4 cm)
ClassificationsAmerican art
Credit LineThe Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA
Object number45.12.13
DescriptionColored lithograph; scene shows in left background a settlement with church, many houses and clumps of trees, a bridge and causeway leads from this to the island of Fortress Monroe. The Hygeia, officers' quarters, many utility and storage buildings, a lighthouse at the right at water's edge with two small cannon and a frame bell tower just beyond. The adjacent waters have many sailing vessels and three side-wheelers; the Adelaide in the foreground, the Northampton off the lighthouse and an unknown just above the Fort flag. A moat surrounds three sides of the fortifications, the main gate and bridge over the moat are behind the hotel, an American flag flies from the ramparts at the right, a single lamp post with lamp and ladder are at the water's edge near stored mortars and balls. There is a church and many buildings to the left of the hotel. A ship under full sail moves toward land at left center foreground flying an American flag from a halyard and a very long homeward pennant from the aft mast. This may be a man-o-war as there are in the hull what might be four gun ports. Many guests promenade in the grounds, gentlemen on horseback and horse drawn vehicles share the roadway with the pedestrians. Many small docks and boat houses extend from shore. The frame is painted black with gold at inner edge 1" thick.
