Medium/Discipline: Architecture, Works on Paper
Birthplace: England
Place of Death: New Orleans, Louisiana
Maryland Affiliation: Depicts Maryland subjects, Active while in residence
Prominent Theme: Architectural Design and Drawing; Landscape
Gender: Male
Race/Ethnicity: White
Biography: Benjamin Henry Latrobe studied architecture and engineering in England before coming to America in 1796. In Baltimore, Latrobe superintended the building of the Catholic Cathedral and designed the Baltimore Exchange. Watercolor drawings in the Maryland Historical Society depict early designs of the Roman Catholic Cathedral, which was completed in 1821 after 13 years in the making. Latrobe designed buildings in Greek and Gothic style in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Richmond and Washington, and from 1803-11, he was surveyor of public buildings in the nation's capital. He designed the U.S. Capitol and White House during this time. Latrobe introduced some unique elements to architectural details, such as corn and tobacco motifs at the top of columns in the Senate wing of the Capitol. Benjamin Henry Latrobe moved on to Pittsburgh where he invested in the unsuccessful Fulton Ohio River steamboat project. In 1815, he was asked to return to Washington to restore buildings damaged in the War of 1812. Throughout his travels, he kept extensive sketchbooks and notebooks in which he depicted natural and architectural scenery.
Art-related Employment: architect
Selected References: Pleasants, J. Hall. Two Hundred and Fifty Years of Painting in Maryland (Baltimore: Baltimore Museum of Art), 1945.
Maryland Institutions Holding Artworks: Baltimore Museum of Art; Maryland Historical Society
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