Jacques Milbert (1766-1840) arrived in the United States in 1815, with the backing of the Museum of Natural History in Paris, and with instructions to explore, record, and collect as much information as possible about the topography, social history, and flora and fauna of the northeastern part of the country. The task took him seven years, and in addition to the 8,000 natural history specimens he sent back to France, he made a series of highly significant sketches of the areas he traveled.

He made lithographs for Amérique Septentrionale, which was printed by E.Ardit, Rue Vivienne, Paris. 

These images are important early examples of lithography for topographical prints, and are part of this eyewitness record of life in America in the early 19th century, which forms the most comprehensive and accurate depiction of the country at the time. As an artist, Milbert loved to paint American landscapes, particularly those that showed the Hudson, "King of Rivers," flowing majestically through the mountains... the pictures of what he saw, as of the time he drew them, constitute a unique and valuable record' (Sherman, A French Explorer in the Hudson Valley).

Reference: Deak p.299, Howes M-592, Ray French 110, Sabin 48916.