On Saturday morning the NYC Urban Sketchers met in Central Park to sketch Belvedere Castle. It is one of the most iconic features in Central Park and is located on top of a huge rock outcrop known as Vista Rock, the second highest natural point in Central Park.
Like many of the Park structures the use and purpose of the Belvedere Castle changed over the years. In 1919 the US Weather Service converted the building into a weather station, adding windows, doors, and offices. When they moved out it fell into disrepair. In 1983 the Central Park Conservancy renovated the building and it reopened as a visitor center. It has been re-renovated several times since. Temperature, wind, and rainfall are still measured at the Belvedere, but mostly from equipment in a fenced-in area just to the south of the building. The castle itself is a big draw and the terraces are usually filled with people visiting the structure.
Most of the sketcher sat either on the lawn across from it near the turtle pond, or on benches under the trees nearby. This turned out to be a good move since it drizzled for a short time and the trees kept us shaded. In the afternoon we moved on to another location for some interesting sketching opportunities.
Wow, yours may be the first sketch I've seen of this! I had no idea it was there!
ReplyDeleteI sketched it once before a long time ago.
DeleteWho knew there was a castle in Central Park. Wow! Interesting sketching site. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI've sketched it but I've never gone up in it.
DeleteIt has an Irish feel to it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should attend the Art In The Open festival in Wexford !!
It does have an Irish feel. I loved seeing all the castles there.
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