Paul Emmert: Artist/Traveler (1826‒1867)
Born near Bern, Switzerland, in 1826, Paul Emmert
(1826‒1867) immigrated to the United States at the age of 19, landing first in
New York and then heading west with the discovery of gold in California.
In 1853, he became one of the many artist-travelers to come
to Hawai‘i to satisfy the thriving market for images of the islands’ dramatic
topography and singular culture.
In Honolulu, he opened a print shop, where he made prints
after his own drawings of local landmarks. Eventually, he moved to Kailua-Kona
and farmed the sugar plantation where he lived out the remainder of his life.
In his 14 years in Hawai‘i, Emmert made drawings of the
mountains, coastlines, vegetation, and geophysical phenomena in and around
O‘ahu, Maui and the Island of Hawai‘i.
While Emmert was in Honolulu he made a series of sketches of
Honolulu, one from the harbor and five from the bell-deck of the Catholic
Cathedral.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, located at the north end
of Fort Street (and Beretania) in downtown Honolulu, is said to be the oldest
Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the United States and one of the oldest
existing buildings in the downtown area.
The Cathedral stands on land which was given to the Catholic
missionaries by King Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli) when the mission was
established in 1827.
Here is a summary of the images in the six sketches of
Honolulu:
No. 1. View of Honolulu from the Harbor (1854)
Center image is view looking mauka at Honolulu Harbor from
the water.
Smaller images, circling the center image, include various
buildings: (clockwise from top left) the Royal School, Custom House, interior
of the Fort, market house, charity school, stone church, "Bethel"
(Bethel Church?), armory, court house, palace of King Kamehameha III, Honolulu
House, the steamer Akamai, the native church and the Catholic church.
No. 2. View of Honolulu from the Catholic Church (1854)
Central image is view looking toward Diamond Head.
Smaller images, circling the center image, include various
residences and consulates: (clockwise from top left) John Yung; Mr. Angel, U.S.
Consul; General Miller, H.B.M. Consul General; Mr. Perrin, French Consul;
Prince Alexander and Lot; Mr. Armstrong; L. Anthon, Danish Consul; U.S.
Consulate; King's summer house; Mr. Hackfield, Swedish Consul; Mr. Montgomery;
Mr. Gregg, U.S. Commissioner; Mr. Wyllie; Mr. Davis, Peruvian Consul; Mr. Hall;
Mr. Reynolds, Bremen Consul.
No. 3. View of Honolulu from the Catholic Church (1854)
Center image is view looking toward Kakaʻako.
Smaller images, circling the center image, include various
businesses and buildings: (clockwise from top left) Dentist, MacFarlane Hotel,
National Hotel & Billiard Saloon, French Hotel, F. Spencer, Lafrenz &
Fisher Cabinet Makers, Tailoring by Chas. Nicholson, Stuart & Rahe
Cabinetmakers and Turners, Dr. Lathrop Drug Store, Hudsons Bay Company, Globe
Hotel, Chas. Vincent, Reynolds, French Store, Ruggles and H Hackfeld & Co.
No. 4. View of Honolulu from the Catholic Church (1854)
Center image is view looking makai toward Honolulu Harbor.
Smaller images, circling the center image, include various
businesses and buildings: (clockwise from top left) T. Spencer Ship Chandler,
Rice & Co., Makee & Anthon's Building, C. Brewer, DN Flitner Watch
Maker, Dr Hoffman - Spalding, Honolulu Iron Works, H Sea - R Coady, Holt &
Heuck, Melchers & Co., Mitchell & Fales - Wells Fargo & Co., BF
Snow, Porter & Ogden, Allen & Co., Polynesian Office and Hawaiian Steam
Navigation Office.
No. 5. View of Honolulu from the Catholic Church (1854)
Center image is view looking toward Central Oʻahu.
Smaller images, circling the center image, include various
residences: (clockwise from top left) Boullion, Dubois, Capt. Snow, Cartwright,
Spencer, Spalding, Ford, Capt. Crab, Sea, Newcomb, Bungalow, Dr. Wood, Sommner,
Macfarlane, Porter & Ogden and Dowsett.
No. 6. View of Honolulu from the Catholic Church (1854)
Center image is view looking mauka toward Nuʻuanu Valley.
Smaller images, circling the center image, include various
residences: (clockwise from top left) Dr, Lathrop, Paki, Washington Place, John
Ji, Judge Andrews, Bishop, Capt. Luce, Rev. Damon, Dr. Hildebrand, Dr. Judd,
Capt. Makee, Bates, Nuʻuanu Valley Waterfall, Wood, Wood and Ladd.
The image is from View No. 1 - View of Honolulu from the Harbor (1854) - I have posted all of the images on my Facebook Page:
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