J. C. Burritt

J. C. Burritt was a photographer active in 1860, specializing in landscape documentation of the natural topography of New York State. Burritt’s body of known work consists exclusively of photographs, primarily documenting the geological formations and waterfalls located around Ithaca, focusing heavily on Buttermilk Creek and the region near Cayuga Lake.

The artist’s work demonstrates a detailed, almost topographic approach to scenic observation, capturing specific geological sites identified by height and location. Notable examples of this precise documentation include Buttermilk Creek, Ithaca, N.Y. 2d Fall, 87 feet high and Buttermilk Creek, Ithaca, N.Y. 3d, or Pulpit Fall, 30 feet high. Other works represented in collections detail regional landmarks, such as 2d Fall at Shurger's, East shore Cayuga Lake, near Ithaca, N.Y.

Fifteen of J. C. Burritt's photographic prints are held in institutional collections, establishing their importance as records of mid-19th century American landscapes. The artist is represented in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. These historical images, often preserved as museum-quality prints, are frequently available in the public domain, offering valuable resources for researchers and historians interested in early photography. J. C. Burritt prints contribute significantly to the visual record of the era.