19th Century VR

[robcat2075]

I got curious about the panorama on the walls of the White House Diplomatic Room.







Turns out, it is not actually a painting but a commercial wallpaper, 'Vues de l'Amérique du Nord', designed in 1843 by the French firm Zuber & Cie (still in existence).

It was installed during the Kennedy years after being salvaged from a house about to be demolished.

Here's a 4K view of the whole thing. (click to see larger)

[John Bigboote]

Very cool. Altho- I don't think that 4K image is the same... I don't see the scenic that is over the yellow couch in it... (?)

[robcat2075]

You're right! They don't match up exactly. At the very least the panels are not in the same order

 

The scene to the left side of the couch (dancing Indians) appears to be what is at "A" and the scene to the right of the couch (people watching military maneuver) is found at "B".

 

The little bit to the left of the fireplace matches up with D.

 

But the treatment of the trees and rocks above the people varies quite a bit. Small example, the tree at "C" has two poofs to it but the White House version has only one.

 

 

 

 

My theory: As the woodblocks wore out the scene was redone with slightly different treatment of the imagery, so we are seeing different editions of the same theme.

 

The 4K image has some obvious seams in it so perhaps it has been compiled from photos of several different surviving but incomplete installations.