22 Beautiful Paintings of 19th-Century American Life

November 25, 2015May 13, 2023 David James American, Buggy, Carriage, Horses

At one time, especially between 1815 and 1915, the horse and buggy was the primary mode of short-distance transportation in America.

Horsemanship was largely confined to wealthy landowners, western pioneers, and the military.

But as long as there were rudimentary roadways, the low skill requirement of horse and buggy gave freedom of mobility to thousands more.

Until Henry Ford made automobiles affordable for the working class, horse-drawn buggies were the most common means of getting around towns and surrounding countryside.

Edward Lamson Henry (1841 – 1919) was an American painter who studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He moved to Paris at the age of 19 — a time of Claude Monet, Pierre-August Renoir, and Alfred Sisley.

His great attention to detail and membership of the New York Historical Society won him admiration from contemporaries who viewed his work as authentic historical reconstructions.

Who better to show us American life in the time of the horse and buggy than Edward Lamson Henry. To enhance the atmosphere of these beautiful paintings, optionally play the music.

The Conversation by Edward Lamson Henry - 1882 — The Conversation by Edward Lamson Henry – 1882

Testing His Age by Edward Lamson Henry - 1891 — Testing His Age by Edward Lamson Henry – 1891

Carriage Ride by Edward Lamson Henry - 1886 — Carriage Ride by Edward Lamson Henry – 1886

Portrait of Mrs. Lydig and Her Daughter by Edward Lamson Henry - 1887-1891 — Portrait of Mrs. Lydig and Her Daughter by Edward Lamson Henry – 1887-1891

Stopping for a Chat by Edward Lamson Henry - 1889 — Stopping for a Chat by Edward Lamson Henry – 1889

The Latest Village Scandal by Edward Lamson Henry - 1885 — The Latest Village Scandal by Edward Lamson Henry – 1885

Horse and Buggy on Main Street by Edward Lamson Henry - 1889 — Horse and Buggy on Main Street by Edward Lamson Henry – 1889

A Moment of Peril by Edward Lamson Henry - 1890 — A Moment of Peril by Edward Lamson Henry – 1890

A Summer Day by Edward Lamson Henry - 1890 — A Summer Day by Edward Lamson Henry – 1890

Later Afternoon on the Old Delaware and Hudson Canal, at Port Ben, Ulster County, New York by Edward Lamson Henry - circa 1894 — Later Afternoon on the Old Delaware and Hudson Canal, at Port Ben, Ulster County, New York by Edward Lamson Henry – circa 1894

An Informal Call by Edward Lamson Henry - 1895 — An Informal Call by Edward Lamson Henry – 1895

Waiting for the Ferry, Shelter Island, New York by Edward Lamson Henry - 1895 — Waiting for the Ferry, Shelter Island, New York by Edward Lamson Henry – 1895

At the Watering Trough by Edward Lamson Henry - 1900 — At the Watering Trough by Edward Lamson Henry – 1900

One Sunday Afternoon by Edward Lamson Henry - 1902 — One Sunday Afternoon by Edward Lamson Henry – 1902

'What's the News' by Edward Lamson Henry - 1909 — ‘What’s the News’ by Edward Lamson Henry – 1909

Unexpected Visitors by Edward Lamson Henry - 1909 — Unexpected Visitors by Edward Lamson Henry – 1909

St. Mark's in the Bowery in the Early Forties by Edward Lamson Henry - 1917 — St. Mark’s in the Bowery in the Early Forties by Edward Lamson Henry – 1917

The Village Street by Edward Lamson Henry

Station on the Morris and Essex Railroad by Edward Lamson Henry - 1864 — Station on the Morris and Essex Railroad by Edward Lamson Henry – 1864

The Camden and Amboy Railroad with the Engine 'Planet' in 1834 by Edward Lamson Henry - 1904 — The Camden and Amboy Railroad with the Engine ‘Planet’ in 1834 by Edward Lamson Henry – 1904

Whether a quaint novelty ride around Central Park or a touch of Cinderella magic to a storybook wedding, we can still experience the joys of a horse and buggy ride today.