A Chronicler of New York’s Maritime EraJames Bard (1815-1897) occupies a singular, often overlooked position within the landscape of 19th-century American art. He wasn't driven by aspirations for grand historical narratives or sweeping landscapes; instead, this largely self-taught New York City artist devoted his life to meticulously documenting the vibrant maritime world that defined his city’s identity. While not widely celebrated during his lifetime alongside some of his contemporaries, Bard’s paintings now offer invaluable glimpses into a bygone era—an age of steam and sail, commerce and…