Floor plan

Style galleriesDrawings of the 18th century

Drawings of the 18th century

The image shows a forest by a serene, tree-lined body of water. The horizon is high with tall trees extending close to it, creating a sense of depth. The brushstrokes and watercolor application are delicate, capturing textures of leaves and water gently. The color palette includes muted greens, soft browns, and hints of blue and cream. Closest to us is a dense cluster of trees on the right, curving over the water. Across the water, other tree clusters and shrubs recede into the misty background towards the left.
François Tronchin, by Jean Etienne Liotard, 1757
Angel of the Revelation (Book of Revelation, chapter 10), by William Blake, ca. 1803–5
Marie Antoinette in a Park, by Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, ca. 1780–81

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

Drawings made in the 18th century, from every museum.

Section 1, north wall

  1. The image shows a forest by a serene, tree-lined body of water. The horizon is high with tall trees extending close to it, creating a sense of depth. The brushstrokes and watercolor application are delicate, capturing textures of leaves and water gently. The color palette includes muted greens, soft browns, and hints of blue and cream. Closest to us is a dense cluster of trees on the right, curving over the water. Across the water, other tree clusters and shrubs recede into the misty background towards the left.
    Peamore, DevonJohn White Abbott, 1799Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. François Tronchin, by Jean Etienne Liotard, 1757
    François TronchinJean Etienne Liotard, 1757Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Section 1, south wall

  1. Angel of the Revelation (Book of Revelation, chapter 10), by William Blake, ca. 1803–5
    Angel of the Revelation (Book of Revelation, chapter 10)William Blake, ca. 1803–5Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Marie Antoinette in a Park, by Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, ca. 1780–81
    Marie Antoinette in a ParkElisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, ca. 1780–81Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 2, south wall

  1. Invocation to Love, by Jean Honoré Fragonard, c. 1781
    Invocation to LoveJean Honoré Fragonard, c. 1781Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. PROJECT FOR THE PAINTED DECORATION OF THE CEILING OF A HALL (PAINTED OVAL CEILING)
    Project for the Painted Decoration of the Ceiling of a Hall (Painted Oval Ceiling)Jean Baptiste Marie Pierre, 1761Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Section 2, north wall

  1. PSYCHE ASKS PROSERPINE TO PUT A LITTLE OF HER BEAUTY IN AN URN FOR VENUS
    Psyche Asks Proserpine to Put a Little of her Beauty in an Urn for VenusJohann August Nahl The Younger, ca. 1781Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  2. The image shows an ancient ruin with arches and crumbling stonework surrounded by overgrown vegetation. The horizon is slightly elevated, emphasizing the towering remnants of the architecture. Expressive brushstrokes and textures are notable, especially in the vines and leaves on the stone. The color palette is subdued, mainly earthy tones and black, creating contrast and suggesting openings into the distance, enhancing the old, abandoned feel of the ruins.
    Arches of the Larger Baths at Hadrian's VillaCharles Michel-Ange Challe, c. 1748Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, north wall

  1. DESIGNS FOR ORNAMENTAL ARABESQUE MOTIFS
    Designs for Ornamental Arabesque MotifsEtienne de Lavallée-Poussin, 1770Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  2. STUDY FOR PAINTING, MOUNT OLYMPUS
    Study for Painting, Mount OlympusVito D'Anna, 1750–60Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  3. This is a detailed sketch of a lion's head, positioned to show its profile. The drawing features the lion's broad nose, rounded mouth, large eye, and flowing mane. The facial features are depicted with various curves and lines. The sketch is on textured paper with pencil shading creating variations in the background. Handwritten text at the bottom reads "Leone de l'Escalier du capitol."
    Lion's Head from the Capitoline StaircaseAugustin Pajou, 1752/1756Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, south wall

  1. Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, Northumberland, by Thomas Girtin, 1796–97
    Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, NorthumberlandThomas Girtin, 1796–97Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Portrait of Emma Hamilton, by Angelica Kauffmann, 1791
    Portrait of Emma HamiltonAngelica Kauffmann, 1791Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 4, south wall

  1. The image shows a castle with a circular tower, a statue positioned on a pedestal on a path leading to the castle entrance. Tall trees flank the path, forming a natural archway. The castle walls have fortified turrets and an ornate gateway with intricate stonework and carvings. In the background, there are more trees and faint outlines of hills. The scene is in a monochromatic sepia tone, emphasizing depth and detail with subtle shading variations.
    A Stage Set with a Statue and a PalaceDaniel Marot the Younger, 1730s (?)Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. WORKING PEASANT
    Working PeasantCarlo Marchionni, 1728–78Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  3. MADONNA AND SAINTS
    Madonna and SaintsSebastiano Conca, ca. 1730Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum