Historic Urban Plans

At the end of the colonial period Charleston was the most important city of South Carolina and the American south. This “Portrait of the Town” was painted by English artist Thomas Leitch in 1774, who promised it was so exact “that every House in View will be distinctively shown.” The foreground is dominated by a large ship flying the British flag, demonstrating that trade with Great Britain brought enormous wealth and influence to Charleston. This facsimilie is from an original oil painting in the collection of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts at Old Salem Museums & Gardens.

Size: 20 7/8 x 6 7/8 inches. Color, Text-Weight Paper