07/31/2025
Charles Huard (1874 – 1965), originally born in Paris, but later traveled throughout Europe and New York, is renowned for his original ink drawings of the bustling cities he explored.
These distinctive illustrations were accompanied by his written accounts of the cities he traveled to. New York Comme Je l’ai Vu, (New York as I Saw it), is Huard’s seminal work, capturing his impressions – both visual and written – of the bustling metropolis at the dawn of the twentieth century.
Huard immersed himself in all the city had to offer. He attended social clubs, such as the Player’s Club in Gramercy, stayed in some of Manhattan’s most iconic hotels and rode the train to the suburbs. He explored famous landmarks and neighborhoods including Battery Park, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the Flatiron Building, Union Square and Chinatown…the list goes on. He observed the people he encountered, their customs, fashions, and the rhythms of everyday life that defined the lively city of New York.
While Huard embraced American life, he maintained a critical distance that allowed him to thoughtfully examine New York’s culture. The artist often described the city as fast-paced and crowded, noting that Americans always seemed to be in a hurry compared to the more leisurely pace of Parisian life.
Over a century later, many of his observations still resonate. Describing places like Battery Park, he wrote in New York Comme Je l’ai Vu, “The port - at Battery Park… the weather is beautiful, the wind has fallen, the sea very calm. White smoke rises high in the blue sky, our little boat looks like a pretty toy…” (9)
Huard’s candid view of New York has stood the test of time. His drawings are timeless, original, and offer a unique glimpse into New York City during the early 1900s.
Slide 1: “The Soldier and the Vagrant”
Slide 2: “Construction of a Skyscraper”
Slide 3: “Woman at the Waldorf Hotel”
Slide 4: “Female Golfer”
Slide 5: “Brooklyn Bridge View of South Street”
Slide 6: “Business Men Composite”
Slide 7: “Mulberry Street”
