AN ICONIC COLLEGE VIEW: "AMHERST COLLEGE" RUMMELL, RICHARD (1848-1924)

 

Amherst College

Richard Rummell

Restrike engraving from the original plate (c.1913)

Printed on heavy woven paper and hand colored

Plate Size: 17 x 29 ¼ 

At the turn of the century, the accomplished landscape artist Richard Rummell (1848-1924) painted a panoramic bird’s-eye view watercolor of Amherst. In this selection of paintings of American colleges and universities, Rummell selected the twenty best colleges in the nation at the time of painting. His inclusion of these universities in his oeuvre indicates his immense respect for these institutions. 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 watercolors. 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 1821 to make education more accessible, the small liberal arts college was founded by the trustees of Amherst Academy, a local primary school from contributions for the community. The first president of the school was Zephaniah Swift Moore, who previously served as the president of Williams College. The school received a charter in 1825, although its first class graduated in 1822, receiving degrees from a neighboring chartered institution. It adopted its motto Terras Irradient, which translates to Let Them Enlighten The Lands, that same year. In line with their mission to make education accessible, the motto envisions the college as an institution who spreads the light of knowledge throughout the community and nation. The iconic purple and white adopted by the school in 1868 represents this mission, which the school has adhered to throughout its existence and up to the modern day. 

Pleasant Street runs from the right foreground to the background of the view. The Octagon can be seen along Pleasant Street towards the center of the view, and is noteworthy for its distinct shape. Built in 1848 as an observatory and scientific gallery, it currently houses classrooms, meeting rooms, and the Black Student Union’s Gerald Penny Memorial Cultural Center. 

Left of the Octagon is College Row, which at the time of this engraving consisted of three buildings. North Hall and South Hall flank the iconic Johnson Chapel. Dedicated in 1827, it was a place of worship on campus for students, who attended weekly services in the chapel. Today, the Convocation Ceremony to welcome students, and the Senior Assembly to send them off, are held here. To the right of Pleasant Avenue in a row of three buildings College and Morgan Halls, along with the President’s House, are depicted. College Hall is first from the front in this view. Made distinct by its Doric columns and golden dome, this structure was originally the Amherst Town Congregational Church. It was bought by the college in 1867 for $10,000 and used by the school ever since. Second from the front stands Morgan Hall. Originally the college’s first library, it is currently home to Departments of American Studies, Anthropology, and Sociology. The second floor of this hall contains the Bassett Planetarium. Last but certainly not least is the President’s House. This stately house is 14,000 square feet large, and features Doric columns by its entrance. Built in 1834 to house the President on its second floor, and College functions on the first, its impressive size enables it to accommodate both with ease. To the left of the view, the Noah Webster Circle can be seen.

To order a college view, please email loricohen@aradergalleries.com or call 215-796-0358 (mobile) or 215-735-8811 (landline).