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Thumbnail-size images of copyrighted artworks are displayed under fair use, in accordance with guidelines recommended by the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for the Visual Arts, published by the College Art Association in February 2015.
East View (Boston Custom House)
George Girdler Smith (American, 1795–1859)
After: Hammatt Billings (American, 1816 to 1818–1874)
Designed by: Ammi B. Young (American, 1798 – 1874)
After: Hammatt Billings (American, 1816 to 1818–1874)
Designed by: Ammi B. Young (American, 1798 – 1874)
1840
Medium/Technique
Etching and engraving
Credit Line
Alfred Greenough Collection
Accession NumberM21127
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsPrints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
DescriptionThis view is extracted from a larger print sheet showing the design for the new Custom House, in Boston. Ammi B. Young won the 1837 competition to design the building, but the structure was not complete until 1849, so this print documents plans for the building near the beginning of construction. The MFA owns an impression of the complete print (M18348).
The full sheet bears four vignettes, labeled with letters, and a key. At upper left is a view of the proposed building, from the east (the view on this sheet).The full print also features, at lower left, a cross section of the building, showing the rotunda and structre of the dome. Two further vignettes, on the right, show the ground floor and first floor plans of the building.
The full sheet bears four vignettes, labeled with letters, and a key. At upper left is a view of the proposed building, from the east (the view on this sheet).The full print also features, at lower left, a cross section of the building, showing the rotunda and structre of the dome. Two further vignettes, on the right, show the ground floor and first floor plans of the building.
Signed
In plate, below image, at right: G. G. Smith
InscriptionsIn plate, below image: Drawn by C. H. Billings / Engraved by G. G. Smith / East View. / Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1840 by A. B. Young, in the Clerks [sic] Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.
In graphite, below image: Custom House, Boston
In graphite, below image: Custom House, Boston