Description :

1894 Oakland Bay Area Composite Lithograph - Lake Chabot & Piedmont

This historically significant lithographic print from circa 1894 presents a carefully composed collection of East Bay California landmarks in the composite vignette style popular during the late Victorian period. The print features four distinct scenes including the Dam at Lake Chabot with its impressive earthwork construction and reflecting waters, the bustling Piedmont Springs Hotel with period carriages and guests gathered on its expansive front porch, Adam's Point at Lake Merritt looking eastward with its serene waterscape, and the entrance to University grounds over a bridge. Each vignette demonstrates the skilled hand-coloring techniques of the era, with delicate washes of blue for water elements, earth tones for the rolling California hills, and careful attention to architectural details. The lithographic line work shows the precision typical of commercial printing establishments of the 1890s, with fine cross-hatching and stippling used to create depth and texture. A descriptive text panel at the bottom includes a poetic reflection on the scenic beauty of the region, noting how "town and country life never comes amiss" in this harmonious blend of natural and developed landscapes. The print represents both the rapid development of the East Bay during California's post-Gold Rush boom and the Victorian era's fascination with documenting and celebrating regional landmarks.

Created circa 1894 during California's significant infrastructure development period, this print documents the Oakland-Berkeley area as it was experiencing rapid growth following the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Lake Chabot's dam was an engineering marvel of its time, while Piedmont Springs Hotel represented the era's resort culture. The University reference likely relates to the early University of California campus development in Berkeley.

Materials: Hand-colored lithograph on paper, professionally matted with cream conservation board, housed in carved and gilded wood frame with ornate rope-twist molding and protective glass

Measurements:

14 3/4W x 18 3/4"H