DOI issue:
No. 166 (May 1915)
DOI article:Monk, William: An English artist's impressions of New York
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21212#0254
An English Artist's Impressions of New York
is of the greatest value in composing the mighty
mass of buildings.
New York, like a greater Venice, rises out of the
sea, and this is another enormous artistic advantage.
The pale blues, greens, and changing greys of the
sea, and the reflections of the buildings broken by
the creamy wakes of the numerous strange ferry-
boats and other craft, together with the wreaths of
vapour and smoke against the lofty architecture,
give material for endless pictures. Under certain
effects the detail of the modern buildings is lost,
or becomes delicate tracery, while the light of the
sun reflected in the countless windows conveys a
gleaming, jewel-like effect. From a little distance
subjects may be found as exquisite and beautiful
in colour and composition as in the most poetic
dreams of Turner in his latest and best period.
Indeed, the distant views of the city at once
recalled Turner to me and this impression remained
in my mind during the whole of my stay. It is
surprising, perhaps, that so modern a city should
suggest Turner in this way, but it does so.
The various craft on the Sound and the Hudson
River are to British eyes most novel and interesting.
The huge liners are pushed and persuaded into
their berths by a crowd of small tugs, and when at
rest they are not unlike a line of racers in their
stalls. The tugs are sturdy and have an unusually
important air. Unlike similar craft on our water-
ways, they are accustomed to take great scows or
barges on either side; and to enable their skippers
to see over their charges, these tugs have high look-
out cabins covered in with glass. Usually there is
a carved and gilt American eagle on the top. The
sides are protected by pieces of timber which look
rather like the oars of an ancient galley. The well-
known American yachts and schooners, bending
over gracefully and sailing almost in the eye of the
wind, are of great value artistically. With the
Liberty Statue, now covered with a most delicate
green patina, or the buildings of Ellis Island as
background, many fine subjects are to hand.
My stay in New York was made most enjoyable
by the kindness of the late Thomas Janvier, the
cleverest writer and one of the best men and
companions it has been my fortune to know. We
“ NEW YORK QUAY
248
WATER-COLOUR BY WILLIAM MONK, R.E_
is of the greatest value in composing the mighty
mass of buildings.
New York, like a greater Venice, rises out of the
sea, and this is another enormous artistic advantage.
The pale blues, greens, and changing greys of the
sea, and the reflections of the buildings broken by
the creamy wakes of the numerous strange ferry-
boats and other craft, together with the wreaths of
vapour and smoke against the lofty architecture,
give material for endless pictures. Under certain
effects the detail of the modern buildings is lost,
or becomes delicate tracery, while the light of the
sun reflected in the countless windows conveys a
gleaming, jewel-like effect. From a little distance
subjects may be found as exquisite and beautiful
in colour and composition as in the most poetic
dreams of Turner in his latest and best period.
Indeed, the distant views of the city at once
recalled Turner to me and this impression remained
in my mind during the whole of my stay. It is
surprising, perhaps, that so modern a city should
suggest Turner in this way, but it does so.
The various craft on the Sound and the Hudson
River are to British eyes most novel and interesting.
The huge liners are pushed and persuaded into
their berths by a crowd of small tugs, and when at
rest they are not unlike a line of racers in their
stalls. The tugs are sturdy and have an unusually
important air. Unlike similar craft on our water-
ways, they are accustomed to take great scows or
barges on either side; and to enable their skippers
to see over their charges, these tugs have high look-
out cabins covered in with glass. Usually there is
a carved and gilt American eagle on the top. The
sides are protected by pieces of timber which look
rather like the oars of an ancient galley. The well-
known American yachts and schooners, bending
over gracefully and sailing almost in the eye of the
wind, are of great value artistically. With the
Liberty Statue, now covered with a most delicate
green patina, or the buildings of Ellis Island as
background, many fine subjects are to hand.
My stay in New York was made most enjoyable
by the kindness of the late Thomas Janvier, the
cleverest writer and one of the best men and
companions it has been my fortune to know. We
“ NEW YORK QUAY
248
WATER-COLOUR BY WILLIAM MONK, R.E_