François-Benjamin Vayron
The America

ArtistFrench, c. 1795–1860, active 1836–1860
CultureFrench
Titles
  • The America
  • L'Amerique
  • La America
Date1854
Printed inParis, France
MediumLithograph with watercolor hand coloring on wove paper
DimensionsImage: 9 1/8 × 11 5/16 in. (23.2 × 28.7 cm)
Sheet: 10 × 14 in. (25.4 × 35.6 cm)
Frame (outer): 12 1/4 × 16 1/4 in. (31.1 × 41.3 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Jas A. Gundry
Object numberB.2015.20
Not on view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionThe inscription beneath the image on this lithograph reads, “America gathers in its two continents the most opposed climates and most different countries. The vegetation is fertile and varied, impetuous rivers, immense lakes, mountains whose snow-covered peaks hang in the clouds, animals, reptiles huge or terrible, birds that reflect all colors of the rainbow, forests, most of which are still virgin.” The print personifies America as a Native American female, a long-established convention. Here, she seems to be guarded by other Native figures, while European figures also look on. The print was probably one of a group of four that included America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
ProvenanceJas A. Gundry, Houston; given to MFAH, 2015.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, above image, center: The América
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below image, left: Paris Agustoni fs r. St Jacques 30
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below image, right: Lith. Vayron r. Galande 51 Paris
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below image, left center: L'AMÉRIQUE / L' Amerique réunit dans ses deux continents les climats les plus opposes les pays les plus differ / ents. Vegetation feconde variée, fleuves impetueux, lacs immenses, montagnes dont les cimes couvertes / de niege se pendant dans les nues, animaux, reptiles ou gigantesques ou terribles, oiseaux qui qui réfle / tent toutes les couleurs de l'arc-en-ciel, forets dont la plupart sont encore viergea[sic: vierge], etc. [cursive]
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, above image, right center: LA AMERICA / La America reune en sus continents los climas mas diferentes. Vege / tacion fecunda y variada impetuousos, logos immensos montanas cuyas cimas cubiertas de / nieve, se pierdeu [sic: pierda] en las nubes, animals, reptiles gigantescos o terribles que reflejan todos/colores del arco iris, bosques en cuya mayor parte, la hacha y el fuego no han abierto. [cursive]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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