Thomas Doughty
View of Baltimore from Beech Hill, The Seat of Robert Gilmor, Jr.
1821
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Thomas Doughty
View of Baltimore from Beech Hill, The Seat of Robert Gilmor, Jr.
1821
Physical Qualities
Oil on wood panel, Framed: 20 5/8 x 24 1/4 x 3 1/2 in. (52.4 x 61.6 x 8.9 cm) Sight: 12 1/8 x 15 5/8 in. (30.8 x 39.7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Michael A. Abrams
Object Number
1955.183
At the turn of the 19th century, wealthy Baltimoreans often built villas that ringed the old city, offering splendid views of distant urban landmarks and the Chesapeake Bay. In this view from Robert Gilmor, Jr.’s estate, we can see from left to right the columnar Washington Monument before the statue of George Washington was erected in 1829; the small dome of the First Independent Church of Baltimore (Unitarian), dedicated in 1818; and the Roman Catholic Cathedral still under construction. It’s twin towers were added shortly after Thomas Doughty painted the scene. The spire of old St. Paul’s Church (1814 – 1817) punctuates the center of the canvas. St. Paul’s was destroyed by fire in 1854, but the other structures still stand in Baltimore. This picture was the first of at least six works by Doughty that Gilmor acquired. It retains its original frame.
Robert Gilmor, Ir., Baltimore; William Gilmor, Baltimore; possibly W. Gilmor Sale, Baltimore, 1863.
Dr. Willam al timor Baltimore; Crim Sale, Baltimore, 1903.
Dr. Michael A. Abrams, Baltimore, by 1941.
Dr. Willam al timor Baltimore; Crim Sale, Baltimore, 1903.
Dr. Michael A. Abrams, Baltimore, by 1941.
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Sona K. Johnston, "American Painting 1750-1900 from the Collection of The Baltimore Museum of Art," 1983, pp. 46-48, ill. p. 47 .
Baltimore Museum of Art. The American Wing. Brochure. Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Museum of Art, [198-?], unpaged.
Henry Wiencek, "The Smithsonian Guide to Historica America Virginia and the Capital Region", New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1989, pp. 314-315, ill. p. 315.
Gregory R. Weidman and Jennifer F. Goldsborough, "Classical Maryland 1815-1845: Fine and Decorative Arts from the Golden Age", Maryland Historical Society, 1993, ill. 52, fig. 63.
Washington D.C. Corcoran Gallery of Art, "Corcoran Gallery of Art: American Paintings to 1945," 2011, p. 94.
Joy Peterson Heyrman (ed), "New Eyes on America: The Genius of Richard Caton Woodville", 2013, Baltimore: The Walters Art Museum, p. 16.
Gilmor manuscript catalogue of 1823 (Private Collec-tion, New York).
Federal Gazette and Baltimore Daily Advertiser, Nov. 7, 1823.
Dunlap, vol. 3, p. 274.
Catalogue of the Very Valuable and Original Oil Paintings, being a Portion of the Collection of the Late Robert Gilmor (sale cat.), F. W. Bennett & Co., Baltimore, Nov. 10, 1863, P. 4, no. 60 (could be either Baltimore or Boston painting).
Robert Gilmor, "Memorandums Made in a Tour to the Eastern States in the Year 1797," Bulletin of the Boston Public Library, Apr. 1892, p. 72.
Catalogue of the Celebrated Dr. William H. Crim Collection of Genuine Antiques ... (sale cat.), The Fourth Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Apr. 22, 1903, P. 28, no. 489 (could be either Baltimore or Boston painting, as View of Baltimore from the Country Seat of Robert Gilmor).
Frederick A. Sweet, The Hudson River School and the Early American Landscape Tradition, Chicago: The Art Institute, 1945, p. 36 (circulated to New York).
Anna Wells Rutledge, "Robert Gilmor, Jr., Baltimore Collector," The Journal of The
Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, vol. 12, 1949, P. 38, n. 53.
M. and M. Karolik Collection of American Paintings 1815 to 1865. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1949, P. 220, no. 99.
Howard S. Merritt, "American Landscape Paintings in the Museum Collection," BMA News, Winter 1962, P. 1o, ill. p. I, no. G:
Lillian B. Miller, Patrons and Parriotism, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1966, ill. fol. p. 144.
Fine Art Source Material Newsletter, Jan. 1971, p. 21, no. 378.
Lois B. McCauley, Maryland Hissorical Prints, 1752-1/889, 4 Sclection from the Robert G. Merrick Collection, Baltimore: MHS, 1975, P. 69.
Federal Gazette and Baltimore Daily Advertiser, Nov. 7, 1823.
Dunlap, vol. 3, p. 274.
Catalogue of the Very Valuable and Original Oil Paintings, being a Portion of the Collection of the Late Robert Gilmor (sale cat.), F. W. Bennett & Co., Baltimore, Nov. 10, 1863, P. 4, no. 60 (could be either Baltimore or Boston painting).
Robert Gilmor, "Memorandums Made in a Tour to the Eastern States in the Year 1797," Bulletin of the Boston Public Library, Apr. 1892, p. 72.
Catalogue of the Celebrated Dr. William H. Crim Collection of Genuine Antiques ... (sale cat.), The Fourth Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Apr. 22, 1903, P. 28, no. 489 (could be either Baltimore or Boston painting, as View of Baltimore from the Country Seat of Robert Gilmor).
Frederick A. Sweet, The Hudson River School and the Early American Landscape Tradition, Chicago: The Art Institute, 1945, p. 36 (circulated to New York).
Anna Wells Rutledge, "Robert Gilmor, Jr., Baltimore Collector," The Journal of The
Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, vol. 12, 1949, P. 38, n. 53.
M. and M. Karolik Collection of American Paintings 1815 to 1865. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1949, P. 220, no. 99.
Howard S. Merritt, "American Landscape Paintings in the Museum Collection," BMA News, Winter 1962, P. 1o, ill. p. I, no. G:
Lillian B. Miller, Patrons and Parriotism, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1966, ill. fol. p. 144.
Fine Art Source Material Newsletter, Jan. 1971, p. 21, no. 378.
Lois B. McCauley, Maryland Hissorical Prints, 1752-1/889, 4 Sclection from the Robert G. Merrick Collection, Baltimore: MHS, 1975, P. 69.
Inscribed: I.r., "T[...]."
On View at the BMA
![LANDSCAPE WITH FIGURE SEATED ON A HILLSIDE [TOP]; LANDSCAPE WITH FIGURES NEAR A CROSS [BOTTOM]](https://artbmadevsite.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/96165_25714587.jpg)
