College View of the Day: "Cornell University" Richard Rummell (1848-1924)

"Cornell University"

Littig & Co. circa 1915

Dimensions 13.5" 9 3/4"

At the turn of the century, the accomplished landscape artist Richard Rummell (1848-1924) painted a panoramic bird’s-eye view watercolor of Cornell University. From this watercolor, a copper-plate was engraved and a limited number of pulls (engravings) were distributed. Today, Arader Galleries owns the collection of copper plates used for engraving and watercoloring. Using the original process and 100 year old original plates, Arader is proudly re-striking and making the beautiful college view available for acquisition the same way it was 100 years ago. 

Founded in 1865, Cornell is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York. The motto of the school came from a statement by its founder Ezra Cornell: “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.” The University is home to the nation's first colleges devoted to hotel administration, industrial
and labor relations, and veterinary medicine, Cornell University is the most educationally diverse member of the Ivy League. Prominently featured in this Rummell view of the campus are two highly significant architectural structures in the history of Cornell: McGraw Tower (seen on the far lefthand side of the print) and Sage Hall
(depicted on the lower right).

Daily at McGraw Tower, student chimemasters climb the 161 stairs to the top of the tower where they play three concerts, each including a Cornell standard: Jennie McGraw Rag plays every morning (Jennie McGraw donated the tower’s original nine bells), the alma mater at mid-day, and the Evening Song at the end of the day. Classical adaptations along with Beatles hits, Broadway show tunes and TV theme songs make their way into the repertoire.

Sage Hall, financed by an Ithaca businessman Henry W. Sage, was built in 1875 initially to house women who attended the university. The design of the building was based off Dinosaur Hall at Oxford University's Museum of Natural History.  Between 1996 and 1998, a massive renovation transformed Sage into the home of the prestigious Johnson Graduate School of Management.


The Cornell University Rummell view is printed on fine woven paper from the original 1915 engraved copper-plate by a master printer. Coloring is performed by a team of expert watercolorists, and framing is completed in-house with acid-free mat and high grade plexiglass that fits all museum specifications.


This beautifully hand colored example is $500. The Rummell View is also available through Arader Galleries in Curly Maple, Black, or Black and Gold frame for $750. There is no charge for shipping. Orders can be placed through our NYC gallery at 212-628-7625 or by contacting us via grahamarader@gmail.com