Colonial Mansion on Staten Island, New York 1867 - 1877

Augustus Kollner made this print of a Colonial Mansion on Staten Island using lithography. Prints like this one catered to a growing interest in images of American architecture and scenery. But look closer: this isn't just a neutral record. The grand house, with its classical columns, sits elevated on a hill, commanding the landscape. This visual language evokes power and status. Remember, this was a time of significant social stratification in America, where wealth and land ownership were concentrated in the hands of a few. Prints like this contributed to a romanticized vision of the colonial past, one that often glossed over the realities of slavery and social inequality. The print was a luxury item, intended for middle and upper classes, who purchased them as souvenirs, or to be displayed as symbols of taste and refinement. Understanding the social and institutional context of such images is key. By consulting period newspapers, architectural surveys, and social histories, we can decode the messages embedded within them. This print offers us a glimpse into the values and aspirations of a particular social class in 19th-century America.