West Front & the Circle Courtyard Panoramic Photo

This full 360 degree panorama is taken from a vantage point within the Circle Courtyard at the west entrance to Mount Vernon. Early in his ownership of the estate, Washington began an expansion of the property which ultimately grew to over 8,000 acres. This allowed a distant view and approach to the mansion along a strong visual axis. As the visitor grew near however, the axis dissolved into the serpentine carriage path on the perimeter of the bowling green only to terminate in the rigorous geometry of the circle; a clear and decisive end to what was often a long journey. Washington used the simple utilitarian service buildings to frame and reinforce this unambiguous man-made statement in a vast natural landscape.
The 360-degree panoramic sepia photograph is printed on FujiColor Professional Paper. Nielsen Frosted Walnut frame matted with four-ply acid-free white museum board mounted on 3/16" acid-free white foam core. The framed print measures 40" x 10". Signed and numbered by the photographer, James O. Phelps.