Plate 49 from Plan of Chicago 1909: Chicago. View of the City from Jackson Park to Grant Park, Looking Towards the West

Plate 49 from Plan of Chicago 1909: Chicago. View of the City from Jackson Park to Grant Park, Looking Towards the West

This watercolor painting by Daniel Hudson Burnham, created in 1907, is a significant visual component of the influential "Plan of Chicago," also known as the Burnham Plan. The artwork, executed with watercolor and graphite on cream wove paper, which has discolored to tan over time, is laid down on canvas, reflecting the artist's meticulous attention to detail and urban vision.

Burnham, a prominent American architect and urban planner, played a crucial role in shaping modern urban planning principles. His work on the Plan of Chicago aimed to address the city's rapid growth and improve its infrastructure, aesthetics, and livability. The painting serves as a visionary representation of Chicago's potential transformation, illustrating Burnham's belief in the power of comprehensive planning to enhance urban environments.

Historically, the Plan of Chicago is considered a landmark in urban planning, influencing the development of cities worldwide. Burnham's artistic contributions, such as this painting, provided a compelling visual narrative that helped garner public and political support for the plan's implementation.

Plate 49 from Plan of Chicago 1909

This artwork by Daniel Hudson Burnham, created in 1907, is a watercolor with graphite on cream wove paper, which has discolored to tan and is laid down on canvas, depicting a visionary urban landscape from Jackson Park to Grant Park in Chicago. The piece reflects the Beaux-Arts style, emphasizing grand urban planning and architectural harmony, characteristic of Burnham's influential city planning work.