# Cuff Lace

**Erwin Schwabe** (American, 1886–1977)  
c. 1937  
watercolor and pen and ink on paperboard  
overall: 30.5 x 22.8 cm (12 x 9 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1943.8.511. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.12720.html).

## About this work

Erwin Schwabe painted this in about 1937, aged 51. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image shows a lace-trimmed sleeve with a floral lace design in the center, primarily in shades of gray and off-white. The sleeve is positioned vertically in the center of the image, with the top slightly obscured by shadow and the ruffled lace edge at the bottom. The lace details are intricate and precise, enhancing the texture and complexity of the design.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Watercolour.** Pigment in gum arabic, thinned with water and laid in transparent washes. Nothing white is painted: the light is the paper showing through.
- **Pen and ink.** Drawn with a quill or reed pen, often with wash added by brush to model light and shadow.

### [Erwin Schwabe](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/erwin-schwabe)

American, 1886–1977

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- The artist was 51
- Real size: about 12 × 9 in (31 × 23 cm). Closest to life size: the 11 × 14 in print.
- Century: 20th century
- Movement: [American folk and design](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/american-folk-design)
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1372.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1372/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/cuff-lace-nga-12720).