New York from Greenwood Cemetery 1809 - 1859

This is William Henry Bartlett's "New York from Greenwood Cemetery," a work made with graphite on paper. Bartlett, born in London in 1809, gained recognition for his picturesque landscape views. Here, the cemetery is not merely a resting place but a vantage point. In the 19th century, cemeteries like Greenwood became popular destinations, acting as public parks where the living could contemplate mortality. Bartlett's choice to depict New York City from this space invites us to consider themes of life, death, and memory. The figures in the foreground add a narrative element. Are they mourning, reflecting, or simply enjoying the view? The composition prompts reflection on our relationship to the past and the city's ever-evolving identity. It asks, how do we memorialize, and what do we choose to remember?