biglam/cooper-hewitt-alt-text huggingface dataset:
Sunset Near Bar Harbor, Maine
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, 1854–1862
Oil on tan paperboard; verso: graphite
Drawing

Landscape sketch showing a view of a vibrant sunset over the coast of Mt. Desert Island in Maine, likely viewed from or near Bar Harbor. In the foreground, a nearby wooded shoreline is visible at left as a thin strip of land stretches across the water in the immediate foreground. Another body of water comprises the middle distance, and is bounded by dark, wooded coastal hills in the background. Above at center, two bands of clouds are bright illuminated in a vibrant shade of pinkish-red, while the otherwise open sky is rendered in a gradient from purple to yellow.

Verso: Loose figure sketch of a lizard resembling an iguana that has long toes and claws, a long, skinny tail, sharp dorsal crests, and a distinct dewlap (or flap of skin hanging from the neck or throat). It is shown in left profile.
Design for an Escutcheon with Allusions to Egypt
Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier, French, b. Italy, 1695–1750, 1725–50
Pen and ink, grey wash, black chalk on laid paper
Drawing

A fountain is obliquely shown, the back of which is formed by shell containing an ovoid as the field of the escutcheon. It is topped by the head of a lion. Nile is seated, reaching with his right arm over a sphinx toward a jar from which water pours. At the right of him are two children and a dragon. Water is shown in the right foreground. Views of the interior of his temple at right, of three nymphs of sources and a palm at left.
Still Life with Tea Cup
Roger Riordan, 1848–1904, 1876
Brush and watercolor, graphite on light grey paper
Drawing

Still life showing a Japanese tea cup and textiles, and a few botanical motifs.
Candelabra
Robert Adam, British, 1728–1792, ca. 1755
Graphite on paper
Drawing

Elevation of an elaborate two tiered candelabra.  From each tier two curled foliage armatures extend out from either side with miniature chandeliers hanging from them.
The Alchemist
Celestin Francois Nanteuil, French, 1813 - 1873, ca. 1850
Lithograph on paper
Print

The alchemist is seated in a large chair, in his untidy laboratory, holding a book.
Woman
Robert Frederick Blum, American, 1857–1903, 1879
Graphite on wove paper
Drawing

Sketch of a female figure reclining on a sofa.
Interior Wall Elevation with a Sofa
Pierre Ranson, French, 1736–1786, 1779-84
Etching and engraving on laid paper
Print

A design for an interior wall featuring ornately painted panels and a sofa in the center with a large mirror above, decorated with ‘turquerie' (Turkish style) motifs. The panels are decorated with festoons of pearls and flowers, sprigs of flowering branches, crescent moons, tassels, scrolling leaves (rinceaux), and Turkish style turbans with feathers. The frieze above features a repeating pattern of fabric, pearls, and crescent moons. The sofa is decorated with feathers, scrolling leaves, and floral textiles with tassels and passementeries. Cushions on the floor on either side. The plate is numbered.
Design for a Fountain
, late 17th–18th century
Etching on laid paper
Print

A design for a large ornamental fountain. Three male merman figures with acanthus leaf fins, hold up a large shell, with a sprouting dolphin in the middle, mounted by a mascaron. The whole is supported by a stone base, with a central mascaron of a male head, sprouting water from his mouth, decorated by C-scrolls, foliage, and shell ornament.
Chimneypiece Design
Richard de Lalonde, French, active 1780–96, 1775-1788
Etching on off-white laid paper
Print

Chimneypiece design with a helmeted mascaron at top, behind which is a wreath of leaves, drums, and flags. A four-arm chandelier hangs in front of the hemicycle mirror, which is framed by a coffered baldachin with rosettes and fluted floral-wrapped columns with helmets on top. The panels on either side have tall arrows with a guilloche of leaf branches wrapped around. There is a scale bar of four French feet ("4 Pieds") at the bottom. The plate is signed and numbered.
Study for an Altarpiece: the Madonna Worshipped by Saints and, Possibly, Donors
, 1530–1560
Black chalk, pen and ink, brush and bistre wash on paper
Drawing

The Virgin is seated upon clouds having the Christ child in her lap. Some cherubim are beside her. On the earth are two groups of three worshippers each. The left one includes a holy pope, the right on Saint Francis. A man in cuirass, at right, and a woman, at left, represent, probably, the donors.
Iceberg Sketches, Canada
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, July 6 and 16, 1859
Graphite and white gouache on light brown paper
Drawing

Seascape sketch showing views of nine different icebergs off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Three craggy, serrated icebergs are sketched along the upper margin, with another, shaped roughly like a "U", below them at left. At center, a horizontal scene featuring three large, broken bergs and their fragments is included, while at lower left and lower center, two distinct, heavily shaded icebergs are shown.
Two Young Women, One with Her Back Towards Beholder
Francesco Bartolozzi, Italian, active England, 1727–1815, ca. 1760–1770
Engraving in brown ink on white paper
Print

The woman at left, very large, is in profile, facing right. A much smaller woman, left, "her back towards the beholder" is resting her right arm on an urn. Both are bare-headed.
Two Furniture Leg Designs
Richard de Lalonde, French, active 1780–96, 1775-1788
Etching on off-white laid paper
Print

Two furniture leg designs, arranged horizontally on the page. The left leg features a top block with a carved rosette within a square inset, a deep cove, and a shoulder with a wave pattern. The shaft is fluted, with cabled darts halfway down. The furniture leg at right has a top block with a carved rosette set within a square inset, a cove of acanthus leaves, gadrooning at the shoulders, and fluting down the shaft. The plate is signed, and possibly was numbered; the print was trimmed at some point. In comparison with other versions, it should be numbered C5.
The Fire of Joy
, ca. 1740
Hand-colored etching with watercolor and gold on paper
Print

Young men and women in varied costume hold hands and dance with their backs to a fire which is tended by others at right. In landscape with tree and houses.
Design for the Dome of a Dominican Church
Lorenzo Peracino, Italian, 1710–1790, 1710–90
Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, black and red chalk, graphite on laid paper
Drawing

Vertical format design for the decoration of a church dome. Dominican monk being raised on a cloud into the distant clouds of heaven with many angels accompanying the monk, some playing musical instruments. Grid lines in graphite.
Niagara, Horseshoe Falls and Goat Island
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, October 1856
Graphite and white gouache on tan laid paper
Drawing

Landscape sketch showing a view of Horseshoe Falls and Goat Island from the Canadian bank of the Niagara River. In the foreground at left and right, rocks and plants emerge from the water near the shoreline. The river's swirling waters curve around the nearby bank and head toward the edge of the falls, which dramatically bend from left to center. A plume of mist is kicked up by the falls and rises above the river at center. In the distance at left, the Terrapin Tower is visible in front of the heavily wooded Goat Island. 

Verso: Loose landscape sketch showing a woodland scene of a stream coursing through trees and other undergrowth.
Title Page
Richard de Lalonde, French, active 1780–96, 1792–1814
Etching and engraving on laid paper
Print

Title page for a series of bed designs. The title is lettered above a design for a bed in the style of a pulpit. The bed is illustrated in profile and in plan form from above to show the shape and dimensions of the canopy and the base. The bed is decorated with neoclassical and empire style ornament and motifs, featuring head posts with fluted columns and a mask and foot posts with a vase finial. The ornament features fleurons and rosettes on the soft furnishings and bed frame. Bed curtains with passementerie and tassels hang from the canopy and along the base of the bed. The bed is rectangular, and the canopy is circular. The plate is signed and numbered.
Tureen
Giuseppe Barberi, Italian, 1746–1809, 1746–1809
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash
Drawing

Tureen.
Fragment
, 17th century
silk Technique: 4&1 satin damask

Bands of checkerboard form of ogives containing blossoms and leaves in red and yellow silk.
Two Designs for Vase-Like Ornaments
Franz Xaver Habermann, German, 1721 – 1796, ca. 1750
Engraving on white laid paper
Print

Two robust designs for vase-like objects decorated with naturalistic motifs: leaves, garlands of flowers, and cartouches. S-scrolls and c-scrolls create movement on the surface of the vases. Two fragments are placed between the vases.
Mug Depicting Frederick the Great
Royal Worcester, English, established 1751, ca. 1757
soft paste porcelain, vitreous enamel
mug

Mug with concave sides and ribbed strap handle. Decorated with a dated portrait of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia (1712-1786), after a painting by Antoine Pesne (1683 - 1757). Trophy of arms and flags, and the figure of fame. All decorations are black on white transfer prints.
Cover
, ca. 1770
Enameled tôle, wood

In style of ca. 1770. A: pear-shaped, on cabriole legs with ball feet; with shaped handle; B: domed lid with urn finial (spigot in bottom is missing). Black, decorated in red and gilt, with landscape medallion above faucet; C: plain square base.
Stage Design, Bridge Over River in a Town
Romolo Achille Liverani, Italian, 1809 - 1872, early 19th century
Pen and sepia ink, brush and wash on paper
Drawing

Horizontal rectangle. Bridge across river reflecting in water below. Houses and buildings line both banks of river.
Chimneypiece Design and Title Page
A. Le Canu, French, active 1746 – 1768, 1768
Etching and engraving on laid paper
Print

Title page and design for a neo-classical chimneypiece with a scale below. The mantel includes a ribbon and laurel leaf frieze. The upper section of the overmantel is decorated with a festoon of flowers, with central feathers, and a hanging trophy of quivers of arrows and ribbons. The cornice is supported by corbels. The title is lettered below. The plate is titled, signed, and numbered.
Wild Flowers
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, 1865–1882
Brush and oil, graphite on paperboard
Drawing

Botanical study of wildflowers, diagonally positioned from top left to bottom right. At center, a red blossom is flanked by yellow flowers above and pink and white flowers below. Indistinct green foliages comprises background. 

Verso: Series of color studies. Gray rectangle within a red rectangle at left, gray rectangle within a red rectangle at right.
Table and Wall Bracket Designs
Jean-Bernard Turreau, French, 1672 - 1731, ca. 1716
Etching on laid paper
Print

Table (center) and wall bracket (right) designs featuring a putto holding a crowned cartouche and palm leaves, herms, vases, masks (mascarons), feathers, diaper, and rosette pattern, c-scrolls, scrolling leaves (rinceaux), and fleurons. The plate is signed.
Judith with the Head of Holofernes
Jan van der Straet, called Stradanus, Flemish, 1523–1605, ca. 1580 – 1605
Recto: pen and brown ink, brush and wash, with traces of black chalk on laid on paper Verso: pen and brown ink over black chalk on laid paper
Drawing

Recto: Judith stands at center, holding the head of Holofernes in her left hand, across her body, and raising her sword in her right hand. Her servant kneels in the foreground at left, holding out a sack to receive the head. Holofernes's corpse is visible in the background at right.
Verso: The Virgin, seated, cradles the lifeless body of Christ. Angels stand at left and right, holding candles.
The Fortress of Agios Nikolaos, Rhodes, Greece
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, May 29, 1868
Graphite on tan laid paper; verso: graphite
drawing

Landscape and architecture sketch showing a view of the Fortress of Agios Nikolaos in Rhodes, Greece, as seen from the water. In the foreground, seawater stretches to the middle distance, where it encounters a rocky and abrupt shoreline. At center, the tall, stone walls of a castle dominate the shore. An inner keep with a tower rises higher than the exterior walls. The curving shoreline extends into the distance at right. At lower right, a small vignette of a series of windmills is included.

Verso: Landscape and architecture sketch showing a view of the French Tower, also known as the Tower of Angels, on the coastline of the Greek island and city of Rhodes, as seen from the water. At center left, the crenellated tower is situated on the point of a narrow spit of land. Mountains coastlines are visible in the distance at left, while several windmills are shown to the right of the tower.
Title Page
de La Collombe, French, active 1702 – 1739, 1730
Etching and engraving on laid paper
Print

Title page for a series of designs for firearms ornament. The lettering is framed within curved lines, fronds and acanthus leaves, topped with a bird flanked by trophies of flags and weapons. The sheet is decorated with vignettes of the figure of Victory, the head of Apollo, the French Royal coat of arms, a profile portrait with a crown of laurels, two figures looking at firearms across a table and a horseman hunting deer. Two vertical designs of firearms ornament flank the page along the right and left margins of the plate. The plate is signed and dated.
Two Flying Putti with Weapons
Felice Giani, Italian, 1758–1823, 1800–1820
Pen and ink on paper
Drawing

Vertical rectangle showing two loosely drawn putti in an oval frame. The left putto raises a helmet; the right putto, seen from the back, has a sword and shield.
Sidewall
, ca. 1875
Block-printed paper

Full width, giving slightly more than one repeat of slender vine pattern of conventionalized passion-flowers, against secondary all-over pattern of foliation. Paper embossed with a pebble figure.
Figure
Robert Frederick Blum, American, 1857–1903, 1877
Graphite on wove paper
Drawing

Partial sketch of a figure.
Views of a Seated Bull, Catskill, New York
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, September and October 1844
Graphite on off-white wove paper; verso: graphite
Drawing

Figures sketch showing three views of a seated bull in Catskill, New York. At upper center, the bull, who possess long, upward-curling horns, is shown from the front. At upper left, the bull is shown obliquely from behind, while at lower left, it is sketched in left profile. In the lower right corner, a donkey is faintly sketched in left profile.

Verso: Botanical sketches showing four trees in Catskill, New York. Two deciduous trees at center are shown with lush canopies, while the two at right are cypress trees.
Commode à la Reine
Juste-François Boucher, French, 1736 – 1782, ca. 1775
Engraving on off white laid paper
Print

Design for a curved dresser with six drawers, carved with ornament motifs including a mascaron, rosettes, scrolls, leaves, and drapery. The feet of the dresser are lion feet. The plate is signed.
Panel
, mid- 18th century
silk and metallic embroidery on silk foundation Technique: embroidered on satin weave

Strip of white silk satin embroidered with chain stitch in green, blue and grey silk showing a design of floral arabesques terminating in butterflies. At center, a fountain with bandelwerk. Selvedge on two sides, strips of pink with three pines of metal yarns, and a narrow border of three red warps.
LA MUSIQUE
François Boucher, French, 1703–1770, 1749–61
Etching on laid paper
Print

Allegorical print representing the art of music with two winged putti in the clouds. The putto to the right plays a flute while reading sheet music from a bound volume, leaning against the legs of the other putto. Surrounding the putti are two birds, a lyre, tambourine, horn, and sheet music. The plate is titled and signed.
Design for Jardinière
, 16th century
Pen and brown ink on off-white laid paper
Drawing

Obverse: the lions are shown in profile, facing each other. They clutch the balls with their fore paws, turned backward. Reverse, at right, the upper part of a molded frame, the central part of which protrudes.
Interior Alcove with a Bed
Jean Le Pautre, French, 1618–1682, ca. 1651
Etching on laid paper
Print

Design for an interior alcove with a central bed upholstered with textiles, passementeries, and feather finials. The alcove is framed by columns, caryatids, and a balustrade. The central arch features a blank cartouche held up by flying putti and decorated with festoons of leaves and fruit. The sides feature roundels with sculpted busts. The cornice is decorated with repeating patterns of fluting and waves. The alcove walls are decorated with tapestries, with windows to the left and a door to the right. There is a figure lying in the bed with two women standing to the left of the bed. A group of figures in the far left, leaning against the balustrade.
Botanical and Landscape Sketches along the Río Magdalena, Colombia
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, May 1853
Graphite, brush and oxidized white gouache on gray-green laid paper
Drawing

Botanical and landscape sketches showing views of riverbanks and several plants and trees along the Magdalena River in Colombia. At left, two views of a heavily wooded riverbank, overgrown with vines. Another drawing of a small river island and its vegetation is included at lower right. Other sketches at center and upper right show various trees and a palm frond.
Ornamental Medallion Design
Pierre Ranson, French, 1736–1786, 1759–80
Etching and engraving on laid paper
Print

Ornament design with an oval medallion depicting a rural landscape in the center of a frame made of scrolling leaves (rinceaux), interlaced leaves, fleurons and sprigs of flowers and leaves, with a hanging festoon of flowers and fruit.
Design for the Embroidery of a Man's Waistcoat
, 1780–1790
Brush and watercolor on paper
Drawing

Lower left section of a waistcoat. A fan-shaped spray of flowers below the pocket. A flower motif along the border, left. Lower edge of pocket indicated.
Trophy Designs
Pierre Ranson, French, 1736–1786, 1777–79
Etching on paper
Print

Six designs for trophies incorporating leaves, flowers, shells, nets, spears, paddles, scythe, fish, bottles, book, baskets, anchor, and a heating device. The plate is numbered.
Landscape Sketches with a House, Ecuador
Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900, May–August 1857
Graphite on white wove paper
Drawing

Landscape and architectural sketch showing views of a large house and a hilly landscape from a river in Ecuador. At lower right, a two-story home with an arched colonnade on its ground floor is visible. A sketch of a group of trees and other foliage is shown at center left. Along upper margin, a view of a hilly landscape beyond a heavily wooded riverbank, with two prominent palm trees at left, is visible.
Design for Table, Plate 3 from "Six Tables Grecques & Pendules"
, ca. 1780
Etching on paper
Print

Two girls and two curved ledges support a kind of entablature, upon which a bowl and two vases stand. Framing lines.
Design for a Bed Alcove
Giuseppe Barberi, Italian, 1746–1809, 1746–1809
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash on off-white laid paper, lined
Drawing

Design for a Bed Alcove.
Fragment
, 17th century
silk Technique: woven velvet with cut and uncut pile.

Sprig pattern on black on black velvet
Designs for Architectural Ornament
, 18th century
Pen and ink, brush and wash on paper
Drawing

At left, a profile medallion of a soldier framed with a wreath, resting on a grotesque base. At right, the corner of garden architecture with a vase.
Design for a back panel of a coach
Unknown, 1720–50
Brush and gray watercolor, pen and ink, black chalk on paper
Drawing

Very richly decorated.  Poseidon riding over the dea is shown in the upper panel, Hercules slaying the Hydra in the lower one.  Parts of the supporting leather belts are shown below.
Interior Scene with Mary
Fortunato Duranti, Italian, 1787 - 1863, 1820–1850
Pen and brown and black ink, brush and sepia wash on paper
Drawing

The Virgin Mary kneels on a stairway before a monument near which an angel stands. Classical interior.
Landscape
Howard Russell Butler, American, 1856 - 1934, 1880–90
Black, white crayon on grey paper
Drawing

Horizontal rectangle. Hilly country with a view of the sea in the center. A church and a rectory are situated in the right middle plane. A man is haying in front of the church.
Window shade and cornice
, 1850–1900
Hand painted silk, wood cornice

Vining floral design typical of Chinese handpainted wallpapers. Brightly colored birds and vines hand painted on silk.
Studies from a Bridge in Florence, Italy
Walter Shirlaw, American, b. Scotland, 1838–1909, ca. 1872
Black crayon on cream laid paper
Drawing

The central part of one railing is obliquely shown. A niche with a statue rises over a double row of balusters. Trees of the far bank form the background. Two details of the decoration of the lateral side of the niche are shown at left; two parts of entablatures, top right.
Self-Portrait of A. N. Carracci
Francesco Bartolozzi, Italian, active England, 1727–1815, 1796
Engraving in the crayon manner on pale pink paper
Print

Portrait of Annibale Carracci after Carracci, facing frontally and slightly to the right.
A Landscape
Charles Nicolas Ransonnette, French, 1793 - 1877, 1825–1840
Pen and ink, brush and bistre on paper
Drawing

A stream leads backwards, through wooded land. Sailing boats are upon it.
Three Frieze Designs
Jean Le Pautre, French, 1618–1682, 1655–82
Etching on laid paper
Print

A large frieze above two smaller frieze designs with putti, scrolling leaves (rinceaux), arms (weapons) and armor, palm leaves, foliate branches, mascaron (mask), shell, and the royal cipher with interlaced L's topped with a crown. The publisher's address is lettered below.
Baccus
Claude Gillot, French, 1673–1722, 1729–37
Etching on laid paper
Print

An arabesque design for tapestries (door curtains) featuring the standing Classical Greek and Roman god Bacchus standing on a plinth in the center, framed by a canopy, with a satyr and a woman on either side below. Surrounded by fruit, vine leaves, grapes, ewers, wine jugs, and rococo ornament, featuring rosettes, fleurons, rinceaux, festoons of flowers and leaves. The plate is signed, numbered, and titled with the publisher's address below. This is the second state of the third plate of the series before lettering.
LE TAMBOUR DE BASQUE
Christophe Huet, French, 1695 – 1759, 1743
Etching on laid paper
Bound print

Plate 10 of a series of 23 prints featuring monkeys acting as humans in various figural scenes. In an outdoor setting with trees and a garden wall, a monkey figure in human costume dances and plays the tambourine.
Project for the Decoration of an Oblong Panel
, ca. 1840
Pencil, pen and ink, white chalk on brown paper
Drawing

Horizontal rectangle showing a crowned lyre and two oblique trees framed by a par of eagles.
The Last Supper
Francesco Saverio Mergolo, Italian, 1746–1786, 1746–86
Brush and wash, pen and ink on paper
Drawing

Drawings of the side view of Jesus at the Last Supper.  He stands at center left in front of a table and surrounded by his disciples below a man from the rear bends over and pours a liquid out of a jug. Center right: a man walks out.  Above is a chandelier and drapery.
Girl
Winslow Homer, American, 1836–1910, ca. 1874
Crayon on paper
Drawing

Vertical view of a girl dressed in a cap, bodice, skirt and apron, seen from the back.
Two Designs for Chairs
Jean-Charles Delafosse, French, 1734 – 1789, 1862
Etching on paper
Print

Two designs for upholstered armchairs with sculpted frames featuring festoons of flowers, scrolling leaves, festoons of laurel leaves, c-scrolls, fleurons, and cabriole legs. The chair to the left is in the shape of a corner. The plate is signed with the printmaker, publisher, and original designer, and numbered.