New York Harbor

This expansive seascape, typical of Edward Moran’s most accomplished work, is subtitled “A Squally Day at the Narrows”. It depicts the Verazzano Narrows that give entry to the harbor of New York City, in a seaward view near the fortification on Governor’s Island. It shows a grey rainy sky with sailing ships of many sizes, joined by one small steam vessel, moving across a light sea. The Narrows are now spanned by a bridge, but in the nineteenth century the vista was open, and busy with boat traffic. Frederick and Julia Billings would have known the harbor well, from many years of residence in the city and travel to its outlying shores.