biglam/cooper-hewitt-alt-text huggingface dataset:
Sketch of an Iceberg
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, June 1874
Graphite on light blue wove paper; verso: graphite
Drawing

Seascape sketch showing a view of a wide, craggy iceberg--likely sketched from the imagination or recalled from the artist's 1859 trip to the berg-strewn waters off Newfoundland and Labrador. Characterized by its sharp, fragmented forms resembling broken porcelain, the iceberg has a large prominence at center right and a rectangular pinnacle at its left edge. Face of the berg entirely shaded.

Verso: Atmosphere sketch showing a view billowing clouds over the Hudson River Valley, likely at sunset, viewed from the artist's estate near Hudson, New York. Located at upper center, the sketch shows an immense, billowing cloud surrounded by dark and light tones, as well as other puffy and wispy clouds.
Decorative Panel Designs
Pierre Ranson, French, 1736–1786, 1777–79
Etching on paper
Print

Designs for six decorative panels and friezes featuring arabesque and rococo motifs with scrolling acanthus leaves (rinceaux), festoons of flowers, fleurons, c-scrolls, cornucopia, and basket of flowers. The plate is numbered.
L'Odorat
François-Thomas Mondon, French, 1709 – 1755, ca. 1736-55
Etching and engraving on laid paper
Print

An allegory for the sense of smell featuring figures in a landscape around a garden wall with a vase of flowers. A man and woman lean against the wall in the center, the man holding a flower to the woman. A young gardener stands to the right, looking at the couple, holding a basket of flowers and leaning on a rake. In the background trees, flowers and birds are flying above. The plate is titled and signed.
Tree in Landscape with Building
Carlo Marchionni, Italian, 1702–1786, 1756–78
Graphite, pen and sepia ink, brush and gray watercolor on laid paper
Drawing

Foreground at right: group of trees. Center: water welling from rocks at left. Upon the rocks a ruin with a big niche, a high arch and columns. On the roof four statues. On verso: sketches in graphite, architectural motifs mostly of an oval room.
Project for an altar: intended to be executed with colored marble and gilded bronze
, 1780–1800
Pencil, pen, black ink, brush and various water colors on light creamy paper
Drawing

Vertical composition showing the elevation of an altar with one step leading up. The front is decorated with a cross in a circle in an octagonal panel. The center of the ledge has a tabernacle flanked by six candelabra with three on each side.
Spray of Flowers
Jean-Baptiste Pillement, French, 1728–1808, 1760
Etching on laid paper
Print

Design for a fantastical chinoiserie spray of flowers with leaves and stems. The plate is signed.
Brooch and pair of earrings
, ca. 1860
Bright-cut engraved aluminum, gold

1928-5-3,4: Brooch (a) and earrings (b,c) of aluminum set in e...;     1928-5-3-a,b: Each circular button in the form of a knot decorat...;     1928-5-4-a/c: Brooch (a) and earrings (b,c) of aluminum set in e...
Fallen Trees, Maine
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, 1876 - 1881
Graphite on white wove paper
Drawing

Landscape sketch showing a chaotic view of dead and fallen trees, likely at or near Lake Millinocket in Maine. In the foreground at center, several dead, fallen trees lean diagonally against others that are still standing at right. This scene extends into the background, where dead trees at left continue to lean against those at right.
Design for Wall Decoration
Giuseppe Barberi, Italian, 1746–1809, 1746-1809
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, graphite on lined off-white laid paper
Drawing

Two striples bordered and separated by a garland. In the left one, above, a bunch of flowers and ears of grain, below, a bunch of flowers and corn fastened by bowknots and connected by a ribbon. Beside it are two butterflies. At right are two bunches of ears of grain fastened by bowknots and connected by a waved stem with blossoms leaves and spirals. Beside a ribbon two butterflies. Below, parts of peacock feathers.
Title Page
Gilles-Marie Oppenord, French, 1672–1742, 1749-1761
Etching and engraving on laid paper
Bound print

Page printed with two plates (each divided into two) depicting architecture fragments, including a tomb, doorways, cartouches, and mascarons. The upper left plate is the title page. The plates are numbered but not signed.
Figures
Robert Frederick Blum, American, 1857–1903, 1884
Graphite on wove paper
Drawing

Partial sketch of a male figure and a female figure.
La Veue (Sight) from the series Les Cinq Senses (The Five Senses)
François Boucher, French, 1703–1770, 1720–1770
Etching and engraving on paper
Print

Allegorical scene depicting the sense of sight. Four figures surround a structure with portholes in one side. Two figures peer into the holes. One teeters in the foreground, and an elderly figure is seated atop the structure. Landscape elements and birds surround.
Five Grotesque Figures
Pier Francesco Mola, Italian, 1612–1666, 17th century
Pen and black ink on cream laid paper
Drawing

Five cartoon half-length figures, four in profile, one facing the viewer.
Catskill Creek, Catskill, New York, Part Two
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, August 1844
Graphite on white wove paper
Drawing

Landscape sketch showing a view of Catskill Creek in Catskill, New York, looking west. The creek's calm waters curve from the foreground into the middle distance at left, bounded by heavily wooded banks at left and right. A rowboat or canoe, possibly with two figures, is shown in the foreground at left. In the background, the outline of the Catskill Escarpment forms the horizon, with Kaaterskill Clove visible at left.

Verso: Incomplete sketch of the hind parts of a cow.
Ornamenti di fregi e fogliami
Stefano della Bella, Italian, 1610–1664, ca. 1648
Etching on paper
Print

Plate 2
Woman
Robert Frederick Blum, American, 1857–1903, 1880
Graphite on wove paper
Drawing

Sketch of a female figure washing her hands in a basin.
Candlestick
, 19th century
Fire-gilt bronze

Circular base, of ogee profile, decorated with beading and acanthus. Shaft formed by three terms, addorsed. Socket a Krater with three lion-mask handles and large brim.
Vase Design with Flowers
Pierre Ranson, French, 1736–1786, 1778
Etching on laid paper
Print

Design for a vase with flowers decorated with acanthus leaves and snake handles. The plate is numbered.
Two Staircase Balustrade Designs
Alexandre Tessier, French, active 1800 – 1830, early 19th century
Etching and engraving on paper
Print

Two different designs for staircase balustrades. The upper design features a circular finial atop the newel. The lower designs feature acorn finials at the lower end of each baluster (spindle). The designs are titled and the plate is numbered.
Galerie métallique des grands hommes français (Great Men of France)
Armand-Auguste Caqué, French, 1793 - 1881, 1821
Cast bronze
Medal

Bust of François de Chevert (1695 - 1769) to the left.
Fantastic Flower Motif from Nouvelle Suitte de Cahiers de Fleurs Idéales
Jean-Baptiste Pillement, French, 1728–1808, late 18th century
Etching a la poupée in colored inks on paper
Print

A branch with flower buds and feather-like leaves. The etching lines are colored in purple, ochre, blue-green, teal and pink, varying in density and tone throughout.
Competition Design for La Fenice, Venice: Roof Plan
D. Cerato, Italian, 1788
Pen and black ink, brush and pink, gray wash, graphite on heavy laid paper.
Drawing

Plan of the roof of theater and annex building: a rectangular roof at left is joined to a horseshoe-shaped roof at right.
Winter Afternoon at Olana, Hudson, New York
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, 1870–75
Brush and oil on paperboard
Drawing

Landscape sketch showing a view of a cloudy winter afternoon from the artist's property near Hudson, New York, known as Olana. In the foreground at left, a stand of trees is visible atop a small hill, while the ground around it is brown and ruddy. At center, the sun hazily shines through a break in an otherwise cloudy and overcast sky. It illuminates the edges of the clouds in a creamy orange hue. Terrain in the middle distance is entirely obscured.
Sampler
, 1755
silk and cotton embroidery on linen foundation Technique: embroidered in silk, cross, back and long-armed cross stitches on plain weave foundation; small area of chain stitch in white cotton which may be a later addition

Vertical rectangle with various embroidered motifs. Crowned initials and date 1755 three times at top. Alphabets at right center; pattern bands at bottom.
Horse
Robert Frederick Blum, American, 1857–1903, 1879–1880
Graphite on wove paper
Drawing

Sketch of a horse.
Mrs. B as Peace, Study for "Justice and Peace"
Daniel Huntington, American, 1816–1906, 1878
Charcoal and white chalk on beige-gray laid paper
Drawing

Bust portrait of a female figure in left profile. Verso: Two studies of drapery, over legs.
Mountains above the Königssee, Germany
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, July 1868
Graphite on tan laid paper; verso: graphite
drawing

Landscape sketch showing a view of the imposing, rocky mountains that loom above the Königssee in Bavaria, Germany. Placid water of the lake is visible in foreground, and meets the steep shoreline in the middle distance. Rugged mountain peaks are visible along a ridge near the upper margin.

Verso: Landscape sketch showing an oblique view of steep mountainsides descending into the Königssee in Bavaria, Germany. The water's edge is visible near the lower margin, where a detail of possibly a latticed window is also shown. A prominent, pyramidal peak is visible at upper left.
Lunette with Allegory of Architecture
Felice Giani, Italian, 1758–1823, 1812–13
Pen and brown ink, brush with brown and gray wash over black chalk and traces of graphite on off white laid paper
Drawing

Woman seated beside table raises architectural plan. Minerva speaks to her pointing opened drawing book leaning, together with other books and plans, against wall. Young man leans upon table in right rear. Written in pencil on top: "Archittetura".
Earrings
, mid-19th century
Gold, opaque enamel, rose diamonds

Earrings with screw fasteners.  A shows child placing floral wreath on head and b shows a child smelling flowers, painted on circular plate surrounded by rose diamonds and gold frame; half-ring at the top, the other half cut away for the screws; ornament with pine cone at the bottom.  Screw fasteners are probably a later addition.
Sketches for a Gateway for a Prison Erected by Pope Pius VI
Giuseppe Barberi, Italian, 1746–1809, ca. 1790
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, red ink on lined off-white laid paper
Drawing

Top right: an elevation. A rustic arch, the pilasters of which stand before wall panels, supports the entablature. The angular pediment topped by a Papal escutcheon before an attic. Flanking walls indicated. Bottom row: an elevation. Rustic doorway with a triangular pediment, topped by a high pedestal supporting a Papal escuthcheon. The door is flanked by couped cones with lanterns and domes on top. Sketches for the attic of the upper design. The left angle of the pediment. Colored background.
Four Decorative Studies of Ceilings; Verso: Anatomical Studies
Felice Giani, Italian, 1758–1823, 1814–18
Pen and ink, brush and watercolor washes over graphite on laid paper
Drawing

Four decorative studies of ceilings with grotesque; frieze with cupid. Verso: Masculine head in profile shown in antique helmet.
Veuë de la Cour du cheval blanc à Fontaine-Bleau
Gabriel Perelle, French, 1604–1677, 1661–1703
Etching on laid paper
Print

Bird's-eye view of the chateau of Fontainebleau with a view of an inner courtyard, surrounding buildings, and gardens with parterre planting in the far right. Trees and buildings in the background. Figures, horseman, and horse-drawn carriages in the courtyard and entering through the gate. In the foreground, a seated artist sketching the scene with a standing figure next to him. Details are numbered with a legend below. The plate is titled.
Sampler
Sarah Anniston, 1711
silk and linen embroidery on linen Technique: satin and back stitches on plain weave

Twelve cross borders of geometric design worked in dots; scene showing Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Profile of a Woman with a Braided Knot
Daniel Huntington, American, 1816–1906, ca. 1845
Black crayon and white chalk on grey wove paper
Drawing

Bust portrait of a woman in right profile with her hair braided into a knot and her eyes directed downwards.
Design for a Confessional
Richard de Lalonde, French, active 1780–96, late 18th century
Etching on off-white laid paper
Print

Design for a confessional with a crowned bust at top. The confessional is decorated with ornament motifs including urns, wave pattern, bead course, rosette, branches, and garland. The plate is signed and numbered.
Arabesque Panel Design
Gilles Paul Cauvet, French, 1731–1788, 1777
Etching and engraving on paper
Print

Panel with arabesques, in the center a vase supported by two women.
Plan and Elevation of the Cybo Chapel at the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo
Carlo Fontana, Italian, 1634 - 1714, 1682–1687
Engraving, brush and blue wash on paper
Print

Plan and Elevation of the Cybo Chapel at the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo
Fishermen by the Sea, East Hampton, New York
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, July - August, 1858
Graphite on white wove paper
drawing

Field sketch showing views of four fishermen pulling and carrying a net and a group of fishermen around a beached rowboat. Above, two fishermen walk to the left while carrying a bunched-up net over their shoulders, while two others face the opposite direction and vigorously pull the net. Below, a group of eight fishermen are shown from behind as they ready a rowboat with a net, which is shown piled in the foreground. At left, a two-wheeled cart rests beside the group.In the background, crashing waves are faintly rendered.
Basket of Blossoms and Leaves with Pomegranates on Earth
, ca. 1800–1830
Pen and ink, graphite on coated wove paper
Drawing

Basket of Blossoms and Leaves with Pomegranates on Earth
Design for a Hand Fan (Right Plate)
Bellay, French, active from 1734, ca.1734–37
Etching on laid paper
Print

A design for a hand fan or hand screen pasted to the right of another design. The design features rococo and chinoiserie motifs, with a standing male figure dressed in the style of a clown with a fanciful hat, holding a sprig, and leaning against a platform with a vase. Another figure is seated on the ground in the background with a vase on a plinth to the right. The frame is decorated with birds, leaves, fleurons, water, and a canopy in the upper center.
Festival Honoring Louis XV of France
, 1750-1770
Engraving on paper
Print

A large city square, whose bordering arcaded buildings are decorated with illuminated pyramids. A large crowd gathers in the foreground, watching the King pass through in his coach. Below, inscription eradicated, and shows only the King's arms in a sunburst.
Plate
, ca. 1775
Tin-glazed earthenware with underglaze cobalt

Scalloped marly, with twisted rays in relief. Decorated in underglaze cobalt with landscape vignette.
Boulders beneath Niagara Falls, Canada
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, 1856 or 1858
Graphite and white gouache on tan wove paper
drawing

Landscape sketch showing a view of immense boulders at the base of Niagara Falls, possibly the Canadian Bank of the Niagara River. A pile of these massive boulders dominates the composition at center, visually comprised of roughly planar and cubic forms that reach a rugged peak covered in grass. Behind it, a portion of Niagara Falls extends diagonally into the background from upper right to center left. Portions of whitewater along the crest of the falls are highlighted in white gouache. Some trees and other vegetation are visible at upper right.
Design for an Embroidered or Woven Horizontal Border of the "Fabrique de St. Ruf," Unfinished
Fabrique de Saint Ruf, Lyon, France, 1805–1815
Incised lines, brush and white gouache on glazed tracing paper pasted on paper
Drawing

A cluster of blossoms is hanging from a forked bough into a scallop; somewhat more than three of them are shown.
Horseshoe Falls with a Double Rainbow, Niagara River, Canada
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, 1856
Graphite on gray-green wove paper
Drawing

Landscape sketch showing a view of a double rainbow over Horseshoe Falls of the Niagara River, as seen from the Canadian bank. In the foreground at right, the craggy edge of a nearby cliff is visible, while the majestic arch of Horsehoe Falls curves from the foreground at right to the middle distance at center. Water cascades in voluminous ribbons and kicks up clouds of mist at the base of the falls. Terrapin Tower and Goat Island are visible in the distance at left. At right, the bases of two rainbows arch over the falls and out of view.
Earrings
, mid-19th century
Hair, gold

Pair of earrings in design of three pendants of brown hair arranged around a disc placed below one gold leaf on a gold ring.
Canoe with Three Men, Ile Maligne, Quebec
Winslow Homer, American, 1836–1910, August 27, 1897
Graphite on paper
Drawing

Sketch of a canoe with three male figures.
Study: A man's hand holding a stick
, 1700–1750
Chalk on brown paper
Drawing

Vertical composition of a man's hand holding a stick. The hand is upright with fingers folded and is seen from the inside.
Cartouche with Chinoiserie Motifs
Alexis Peyrotte, French, 1699–1769, ca. 1740
Engraving on paper
Print

Cartouche with Chinoiserie motifs.
Grotesque Exedra Design
Gilles-Marie Oppenord, French, 1672–1742, 1749-1761
Etching and engraving on laid paper
Bound print

Page printed with two plates. The left plate depicts an exedra in a landscape, supporting an urn and putti. The platform has on the bottom a grotesque mascaron; at the top of the excedra are scalloped shells. The right plate features a variety of motifs on a bracket: a cartouche, a book, a bust, a rooster, a quill, a compass, branches, and a putto. Both plates are signed and numbered.
Two Medallion or Frame Designs
Pierre Ranson, French, 1736–1786, 1778
Etching on laid paper
Print

Designs for two medallions or frames, oval and round, decorated with moldings and topped with military and gardening trophies. The ornament and motifs include flags, spears, cannon, foliate branches, horn, festoon of leaves, ladder, topiary, flowers, fruit, beads, and scrolling acanthus leaves (rinceaux). The plate is numbered and signed.
Ornament Designs for Hinges
Jean Louis Durant, Swiss, 1654–1718, ca. 1682
Engraving on laid paper
Print

Nine ornament designs on hinges.
Man
Robert Frederick Blum, American, 1857–1903, 1881–1882
Graphite on wove paper
Drawing

Partial sketch of a male figure with a mustache.
Tassel
, 19th century
silk, wood core

Tassel with a skirt of red silk twisted and looped with small red and tan tassels in outer strands. Tassel head of red silk with tan braid forming crosses and two collars of red and tan silk in loops. Tassel is attached by a cord to a rosette which is composed of a central button surrounded by rings of red and tan silk loops.
Developpement d'une Porte Corinthienne
Jean-François de Neufforge, Flemish, 1714–1791, 1768
Engraving on paper
Print

Design for a door decorated in the Corinthian order and with bands of lamb tongue, bead course, carved classicizing scenes, and rosette ornament. The plate is signed and numbered.
Title Page
Jean Le Pautre, French, 1618–1682, 1665
Etching on laid paper
Print

Title page and design for an alcove with a canopy bed and figures in the center within a room featuring statues of female figures on ornate plinths, decorative wall paneling, fluted pilasters, figures, and flying putti holding up the curtain to the alcove. The title and date are lettered within a cartouche framed by putti, scrolling leaves, palm leaves, festoons of fruit and leaves, and a shell.
Design for two andirons
Lefebvre Manufactory, Tournai, 1800–1825
Brush and yellow, green, red, black watercolor, graphite, on cream laid paper
Drawing

Above: center panel with a lion mask flanked by pilasters decorated with palmette motif. On top, lowered bowl at left; footed flaming bowl at right. 
Below: center panel shows opposing fantastic swans flanking a floral motif. Palmettes at either end. On top, lowered bowl at left; footed flaming bowl at right.
The Discovery of Guaiacum as a Cure for Venereal Disease
Jan van der Straet, called Stradanus, Flemish, 1523–1605, ca. 1590 or before
Pen and brown and black inks, brush and black wash over black chalk on laid paper
Drawing

Recto: Oblique view into two rooms. At left, a kitchen where people are busy at work preparing a medicine (Guaiacum) against venereal disease. At right, in a bedroom, a man lies in bed and drinks from a cup. Two men stand beside the bed, tending to him.
Developpement de diverses Consoles à l'usage des Fenêtres, Niches, Portes et Balcons en saillie
Jean-François de Neufforge, Flemish, 1714–1791, 1768
Engraving on paper
Print

Elevations and profiles of designs for consoles decorated with ornament motifs including rosettes, fish scale, eagles, garland, and palm. The plate is signed and numbered.
Design for Two Knife Handles
Francesco Salviati, Italian, 1510 – 1563, 1583
Engraving on off-white laid paper
Print

1921-6-350-2: Designs for two knives, their points facing downwa...
Elévation d'une Bibliothéque avec Pilastres d'Ordre Corinthien
Richard de Lalonde, French, active 1780–96, 1775-1788
Etching on off-white laid paper
Print

Elevation of a glass-fronted bookshelf, decorated with carved ornament motifs including rondels, fluting, engaged pilasters with Corinthian capitals, floral garland, and bands of bead course, lamb tongue, and fluting. The plate is signed and numbered.
Escutcheon, Plate 7 of Cahier de Cartouches, Set D
Pierre-Philippe Choffard, French, 1730–1809, ca. 1760
Etching on light blue paper paper
Print

Unsymmetrical escutcheon with attributes of a victor, on top, of a vanquished prince, bottom. Right corners, top: "D"; bottom: "6".
LE JEU DE QUILLES
Jacques Bacheley, French, 1712 – 1781, mid- 18th century
etching on paper
Print

Second plate from a series of four children's scenes, framed within decorative rococo cartouches, with verses lettered below. A group of children play at bowling in a landscape, with steps, and a balustrade in the foreground. The title is lettered below the cartouche, the plate is signed and numbered.
Square
, 3rd–4th century
Warp; S-spun linen. Weft; S-spun linen, S-spun wool Technique:slit tapestry woven with supplementary weft wrapping

Bust of a human figure within a square in a wide border of curving vines.
The Virgin and the Child
Fortunato Duranti, Italian, 1787 - 1863, 1820-1850
Graphite, pen and ink, brush and dark brown watercolor on paper
Drawing

Below, the Child, recumbent and leaning upon his right forearm. The Virgin stands behind in adoration, looking down at him. Behind her is a niche. Over her left shoulder are two heads and one of an ox (?). Framing line.
Design for an Embroidered or Woven Horizontal Border of the "Fabrique de St. Ruf"
Fabrique de Saint Ruf, Lyon, France, 1805–1815
Brush and white gouache on glazed tracing paper
Drawing

A fantastical plant stands over three lace flowers and a scalloped edge. Somewhat more than two repeats are shown.
Birds and Trees along the Río Magdalena, Colombia
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, May 1853
Graphite on gray laid paper
Drawing

Botanical and figure sketches showing views of trees and a flock of birds, like cranes or storks, along the Magdalena River in Colombia. At upper left, a flying "V" of large birds extends into the distance, with two birds sketched in detail beside it--one flying and one standing. At center left and upper right are two depictions of a large deciduous tree with an immense, enveloping canopy. At lower left, a tree with a tall, thin trunk and a wide canopy is included. Beside it at lower right, a view of the heavily wooded riverbank is shown from the river itself. Numerous trees merge into a unified mass of billowing vegetation.