John Bachmann, a Swiss born lithographer, moved to the United States shortly after 1848, and went on to produce a series of bird’s eye maps that depict American landscapes in ways that were groundbreaking around the mid-nineteenth century. His work blurred the line between cartography and fine art, and his landscape prints are held by both the Prints and Photographs Division and the Geography and Map Division here at the Library of Congress.
Many of his American works focus on New York City, illustrating the city during a time of immense change. His depictions celebrate an emerging modern industrial city and often focus on public works, showcasing local civic landmarks and highlighting both modern innovation and a sense of urban pastoralism.
