Artwork

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Erastus Dow Palmer, 1817–1904

 

 

Erastus Dow Palmer, an Albany artist, was a well-known American sculptor of the mid-nineteenth century. He made three copies of a bas-relief of Blandina Dudley in the winter of 1858-59, It depicts Mrs Dudley in profile, at the age of 75, wearing a turban-like cap. One of these, contained in a decorative gilt oval frame, was purchased by the Dudley Observatory for $200 in 1913. Palmer also sculpted a bust of Charles Dudley for the Dudley Observatory dedication. The bust, the bas-relief, and the two portraits are currently in the offices of the Dudley Observatory.

 

Tompkins Matteson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dudley Observatory Dedication;  Tompkins H. Matteson 1917.3
(1813-1884); 1857; Oil on canvas; ht. 56 ¼  x w. 72 ¼  inches; Inscribed, lower center above heads in foreground: "T. H. Matteson / 1857"; Gift of Gen. Amasa J. Parker
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The inauguration of the Dudley Observatory occurred on August 28, 1856
The original painting is in the Albany Institute of History & Art.

 

The following paper identifies a number of the people in the painting:
Bartky, I., Rice, R., and Bain, C., 1999.  "An Event Of No Ordinary Interest" - The Inauguration of Albany's Dudley Observatory.  Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage 2(1):1-20.

Tompkins Matteson

 

 

Michael Oatman & Joseph Putrock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

150th Anniversary Remake

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The founders of the  Dudley Observatory foresaw that New York’s Capital Region would be an intellectual and cultural center, as well as a center of transportation and commerce.

The dedication of the Dudley Observatory took place at the close of the prestigious annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the result being that it was attended by  and was therefore attended by a prominent who’s who of the celebrated politicians, businessmen and famous scientists. Tompkins Matteson’s grand painting captured this significant event and has been a prominent part of the Albany’s history ever since.

Those who attended the 150th Anniversary celebration were invited to participate in a re-creation of  Mattson’s painting, staged by artist Michael Oatman and photographed by Joseph Putrock. This modern day depiction captured, on film, present-day political leaders, scientists, and astronomy enthusiasts.

Joe Putrock and Michael Oatman would like to thank:

Faddegon's Nurseries, Latham, NY

Chancellor's Hall, NYS Education Department, Albany, NY

George Webb and William Winchester, NYS Education Department, Albany,

NY School of Architecture, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

Alan Okey and Artificial Horizon Post, Troy, NY

Gordon Oatman and Crooked Wood, Williston, VT

Tammis Groft, Christine Miles, Tom Nelson and The Albany Institute of History and Art, Albany, NY

Falling Anvil Studios, Troy, NY

Gary Gold, Photographer, Albany, NY

Wrangler: Gregor Wynnyczuk

Laura Glazer, Photographic Assistant to Joe Putrock

School of Architecture Students/Falling Anvil Studios Assistants:
Ann Cosgrove, Karen Kraft, Jordan Pope, Heath Horn, Emily Albright, Sylvia Krajewski

Unknown artist, c. 1860.

 

Portrait of Ormsby McKnight Mitchel

Biography of Mitchel

 

 

 

Portrait of August Sonntag

Biography of August Sonntag