View of the entrance of the cave and stonebridge by FASEL, George and VALOIS, Edward - 1862

New York: J. Rau, 1862. Color lithograph with modern hand coloring. Image measures 9 1/2" x 13 3/4". Sheet measures 12" x 18 3/4".<br/><br/> This rare view of Central Park shows the Ramble Arch Bridge and the entrance to a nearby cave, surrounded by lush grass and variety of trees. The scene demonstrates why, even today, the bridge is considered one of the park's most picturesque. Visitors dressed in their Sunday best are dwarfed by the rollicking landscape, which, while similar to the park's present appearance, has a particular manicured wildness that characterized Olmstead's original design. The skyline of New York City is visible in the far distance. The view appeared in Rau's 1862 "Central Park Album." It is in good condition with no chips or tears and minor overall discoloration. George Fasel was a German lithographer and painter who immigrated from Karlsruhe to New York in 1850. He was best known for his portraits, religious subjects, and historical scenes. Edward Valois was a lithographer active in New York in the mid-1850s. Their view of Central Park is a beautiful and scarce memento of the park's past.<br/><br/>