Step into the tranquil, verdant elegance of mid-19th-century American landscape design with this exceptional vintage fine art print. Originally hand-painted circa 1936 by American artist George Stonehill for the WPA’s historic Index of American Design, this captivating watercolor plan reconstructs the historic Joseph Fischer Estate as recorded in the famous Blackwell Survey of 1860.

Depicted from a charming bird’s-eye perspective, the composition maps out a grand country manor house surrounded by winding cream pathways, formal floral borders, a decorative geometric parterre garden, orchard rows, and rolling green lawns shaded by mature trees. Meticulously restored to preserve its rich emerald watercolor washes and authentic bottom inscription, this print effortlessly blends cartographic history with lush, biophilic wall decor.

The History: During the Great Depression, the U.S. Federal Art Project established the Index of American Design (1935–1942) under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious initiative employed skilled American artists to meticulously document the nation’s folk art, historic decorative crafts, and early architectural monuments. As part of this effort, artist George Stonehill drew upon the 1860 Blackwell Survey—a famed series of land surveys documenting 19th-century estates across New York—to recreate the lost landscape geometry of historic country properties like the Joseph Fischer Estate. Today, Stonehill’s original watercolor and gouache masterwork is preserved in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

The Aesthetic: A masterclass in landscape architecture and organic harmony, this aerial estate map creates a soothing, structured visual anchor. Stonehill uses a harmonious palette of forest green, sage, mint, and deep moss to render the grounds, beautifully contrasted by the warm terracotta tones of the main house and outbuildings. A horse-shoe driveway loops around the residence, framed by soft pink flower beds, while a striking circular parterre flower garden sits at the center of the lower lawn. Complete with an authentic gouache title inscription along the bottom reading “THE JOSEPH FISCHER ESTATE – THE BLACKWELL SURVEY 1860”, this print brings a quiet, intellectual, and timeless country-house allure to modern walls.

It is an ideal statement piece for:

Landscape architects, interior designers, urban planners, map collectors, gardeners, historians, and lovers of vintage WPA-era American art.
Quiet home offices, private libraries, grand entryways, hallways, living rooms, or as an anchor piece above a wooden console or sideboard.
Traditional estate, modern farmhouse, Japandi, mid-century modern, or transitional interior design styles that value warm, natural palettes and historic depth.

Product Details

Artist: George Stonehill (American, Index of American Design / WPA)

Title: The Joseph Fischer Estate (The Blackwell Survey 1860)

Subject: Antique American Garden Layout, Estate Map & Architectural Survey

Original Date: c. 1936 (Documenting an 1860 Estate Survey)

Style: American WPA Watercolor / Historic Architectural Illustration

Museum-Quality Vintage Prints

Our vintage posters are made to order using premium Giclée printing techniques. Every piece is printed on thick, heavyweight fine art paper (200gsm) with a smooth, completely matte finish.

We specifically source an acid-free, natural-toned paper that perfectly recreates the warmth and authentic character of original mid-century lithographs. Unlike standard glossy posters, our premium matte finish ensures there is zero glare when your artwork is framed behind glass, resulting in a rich, museum-quality display. Combined with long-lasting, UV-resistant pigment inks, your print is designed to remain vibrant for generations.