Plan of the City of Washington — Pierre Charles L’Enfant

This early plan of Washington presents the emerging federal city as a compact network of streets, diagonal avenues, public spaces, and waterways. Associated with Pierre Charles L’Enfant and published by Thackara & Vallance around 1794, it belongs to the formative period of the planned American capital.

The dense street grid is crossed by broad diagonal routes and framed by the Potomac River and Eastern Branch. Fine engraved lines, a compass figure, an oval title cartouche, and generous areas of warm paper give the map a restrained late-eighteenth-century character. Its combination of precise urban geometry and open space makes it both an important historical document and a distinctive example of early American cartography.

Artwork Details

• Artist: Pierre Charles L’Enfant; Thackara & Vallance
• Title: Plan of the City of Washington
• Original title: Plan of the City of Washington
• Series: Not specified
• Date: Circa 1794
• Period: Late 18th century
• Place of Origin: Philadelphia, United States
• Medium: Engraved map

Framed Print Details

• Fine art printing: Professional 12-color fine art printing technology produces vivid, accurate colors with strong tonal depth and significantly greater nuance than standard 4-color inkjet printing.
• Paper: Smooth premium matte paper with a clean, glare-free finish.
• Paper weight: 200 gsm (80 lb).
• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm (10.3 mils).
• Frame material: Durable pine wood.
• Frame dimensions: Approximately 20 mm (0.79 in) deep and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.
• Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the print while keeping the framed artwork lightweight.
• Ready to hang: A hanging kit is included, allowing the framed print to be mounted directly on the wall.
• Available sizes: Offered in a range of sizes to suit different spaces.
• Materials: Printed using FSC-certified paper and wood where available.
• Production: Each framed print is produced to order through a trusted international network of professional print studios.
• Shipping: Worldwide shipping is available.
• Made to order: There is no minimum order quantity. Each piece is printed and assembled on demand, reducing unnecessary stock and waste.

Exact frame dimensions, component availability, and production specifications may vary slightly depending on the selected size and destination.