This painting, by John O’Brian Inman, depicts a lovely nighttime scene at the lake in Central Park, with Bethesda Fountain in the background.
Ice skating became hugely popular in the second half of the 19th century. Skating clubs formed, and tens of thousands of New Yorkers would show up during prime winter days at the lakes of the city’s new parks.
Central Park officials had a way of letting skaters know when it was safe to go on the ice: A red ball would be raised from a bell tower in the park, near where Belvedere Castle is today. A red pennant hoisted over the middle of the lake, however, was a warning that the ice was dangerous.
Tags: Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Fountain, Central Park lake, history of ice skating, Ice skating in Central Park, John O'Brian Inman, New York City in winter
Ephemeral New York 
January 13, 2009 at 1:01 pm |
The people in the foreground appear to be standing in what today would be The Ramble. Apart from the obvious (fewer trees) the ground looks to be absolutely level with the pond. Doesn’t today’s Ramble slope up from the water’s edge?
January 13, 2009 at 1:34 pm |
Isn’t this painting up at the N-Y Historical Society? I could swear it was part of a scavenger hunt we did there.
Still, it’s a great painting. I do so love that they were skating by the light of the moon.
January 13, 2009 at 5:00 pm |
It’s owned by the Museum of the City of New York, I believe. I’ll find out and add it to the post.
I’m not sure about the slope of the Ramble. Perhaps Inman took artistic license, or the landscape changed?
January 13, 2009 at 7:45 pm |
Such a beautiful painting. A few days ago I posted about the 1862 Brooklyn Ice Skating Carnival, if anyone would care to take a look. Love your blog.
Maureen
January 13, 2009 at 7:55 pm |
Thanks! Here’s the link to CelestialCharms’ Brooklyn Ice Skating Carnival post–it’s fascinating: http://celestialcharms.blogspot.com/2009/01/brooklyn-ice-carnival.html
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