New Theater, Chestnut Street

A director of the Academy from 1819 to 1846, Strickland was also a frequent exhibitor, mainly of Philadelphia scenes, in the institution's annuals. "New Theater, Chestnut Street" was included in the 1811 showcase and portrays the city's first permanent theater, which opened in 1794. Strickland's view depicts the building following an 1805 renovation, and just after William Rush's sculptures were installed in niches on the facade. Strickland knew the building well. From 1803 to 1805 he served as an apprentice to the architect of the renovation, Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the leader of the classical architectural revival in America. Seen in the context of the Academy's annual exhibition, 'New Theater, Chestnut Street' must have served as an impressive advertisement for both Trickled's work and that of his mentor. Indeed when the theater burned down in 1820, Trickled received the commission to build a new one in its place.