# Tabernacle (Ecclesiastical Furniture)

**Cornelius Christoffels** (American, born Netherlands, 1879–1960)  
c. 1938  
watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paper  
overall: 26.9 x 35.5 cm (10 9/16 x 14 in.) Original IAD Object: Box is 19" x 13 1/2"deep x 17"wide

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1943.8.6623. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.18823.html).

## About this work

Cornelius Christoffels painted this in about 1938, aged 59. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image shows a small intricately decorated wooden structure with an arched top and a central door flanked by two metal hinges. The structure is painted with a floral and vine motif in colors such as red, green, and yellow on a light background. The wooden door has a textured appearance. The object is positioned centrally with the door facing forward, placed on a slightly elevated base with two footings extending forward. The overall look is ornate and symmetrical, showcasing detailed design work.

_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.
- **Graphite.** Pencil. Graphite has been used for drawing since the 1500s; in 1795 Nicolas-Jacques Conté mixed it with clay, so its hardness could be graded.

### [Cornelius Christoffels](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/cornelius-christoffels)

American, born Netherlands, 1879–1960

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- The artist was 59
- Real size: about 11 × 14 in (27 × 36 cm). The 11 × 14 in print is close to life size.
- 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/1400.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1400/1920.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
- 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/tabernacle-ecclesiastical-furniture-nga-18823).