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Fitz Henry Lane
HISTORICAL ARCHIVE • CATALOGUE RAISONNÉ • EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE
An online project under the direction of the CAPE ANN MUSEUM
An online project under the direction of the CAPE ANN MUSEUM
Catalog entry
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inv. 452
American Vessels No. 1
c. 1845 Colored lithograph on paper 13 x 17 1/2 in. (33 x 44.4 cm) Signed: Lower Left: F.H. Lane, del.
Lower Center: American Vessels, No. 1 / Ship of the Line and First Class Frigate Lower Right: Lane & Scotts, Lith. Collections:
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Exhibition History
Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, Massachusetts, Drawn From Nature & on Stone: The Lithographs of Fitz Henry Lane, October 7, 2017–March 4, 2018. [Impression: The Shelburne Museum (inv. 342)].
Published References
Barnhill, Trafton. Drawn from Nature & on Stone: the Lithographs of Fitz Henry Lane. Gloucester, MA: Cape Ann Museum, 2017., fig. 57, American Vessels No. 1. [Impression: The Shelburne Museum (inv. 342)]. ⇒ includes 
text
textImpression information
The Shelburne Museum (inv. 342)
Signed: Lower Left: F.H. Lane, del.
Lower Center: American Vessels, No. 1 / Ship of the Line and First Class Frigate
Lower Right: Lane & Scotts, Lith.
The Shelburne Museum, Vt., Bequest of Electra Havemeyer Webb, 1961 (1961-1.22 (27.6.3.1-61))
Provenance
Electra Havemeyer Webb, New York, 1926
The Shelburne Museum, Vt., 1961
Commentary
As indicated below the image, this print was drawn by Lane, and also printed by him at Lane & Scott's.
While in the public’s eyes, the United States Navy’s ships of the line closely resembled each other, there is reason to believe that Lane intended the “Ohio” to be the example in this lithograph. An article in the “Telegraph”, May 31, 1843, mentions a lithograph “drawn and published by F. H. Lane” as depicting that vessel. (1) That lithograph would have been a precursor to American Vessels No. 1, c.1845 (inv. 452), which was published jointly by Lane and John W. A. Scott, who did not form a partnership until a year later. (2) The “Ohio” must have been a subject of interest for Lane, as he also portrayed the vessel in oil on canvas, which was exhibited at the New England Art Union in 1851. (3)
Lane’s depiction of what appears to be a large frigate in the right background cannot be identified as any specific warship. The decorative carvings and gun port arrangement in the stern are at odds with surviving plans and descriptions of American frigates of the period – particularly “Constitution” whose stern configuration is well documented. “Old Ironsides” would seem a likely candidate, having been built in Boston; however, a long absence ending late in 1846, followed by a rebuilding lasting two years, would have limited her value as a “posing subject.” (4)
That this print’s title bore a number indicates that a series of prints was planned, depicting the types of vessels in America’s navy – and perhaps even her merchant marine, given the generic title. Was the scope of this series a factor in Lane & Scott’s parting of the ways? Or was it a casualty?
–Erik Ronnberg
References
1. See supplement “1843 Telegraph”
2. See supplement “Lithography: Lane & Scott’s”
3. See supplement “Boston: New England Art Union”
4. Ira N. Hollis, “The Frigate Constitution” (Boston, MA: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1900), pp. 230 – 233.