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Drawings of the 18th century

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

31 works · hang 992 ·

The rooms are imagined; every work on their walls is real.

Walk this roomRehang this room

Section 1, north wall

  1. DESIGNS FOR ORNAMENTAL ARABESQUE MOTIFS
    Designs for Ornamental Arabesque MotifsEtienne de Lavallée-Poussin, 1770Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  2. 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
  3. The image shows a sketch of an architectural scene with structures lining a road or pathway. The horizon is not clearly defined, and the sketch focuses on architectural details. The drawing features loose, freehand lines outlining buildings and trees, with classical elements like columns and entablatures. The color palette is monochromatic, with light parchment and dark ink strokes creating contrast. Close-up details are lightly shaded for depth, while distant details are less defined. The composition is open and airy, emphasizing architectural features over precision.
    Ancient Ruins on the Bank of the TiberAugustin Pajou, 1752/1756Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 1, south wall

  1. Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti, by Giovanni Paolo Panini, ca. 1756–58
    Scalinata della Trinità dei MontiGiovanni Paolo Panini, ca. 1756–58Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Warwick Castle: The East Front, by Canaletto, 1752
    Warwick Castle: The East FrontCanaletto, 1752Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 2, south wall

  1. STUDY FOR PAINTING, MOUNT OLYMPUS
    Study for Painting, Mount OlympusVito D'Anna, 1750–60Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  2. 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

Section 2, north wall

  1. This is a painting of an architectural scene with decorative and religious elements. The painting features a grand interior setting, possibly a church or cathedral, dominated by ornate columns and a ceiling structure. Figures appear on pedestals atop the columns. In the background, there is a depiction of a religious or ceremonial space with detailed balustrades and steps, where figures are shown in dynamic poses. The color palette consists of warm golden hues contrasted with cooler grey tones, highlighting the intricate details of the architecture and figures. This is in the style of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.
    Worshippers at the Tomb of Saint PeterMatthäus Günther, 1740/1741Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. Portrait of Emma Hamilton, by Angelica Kauffmann, 1791
    Portrait of Emma HamiltonAngelica Kauffmann, 1791Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 3, north wall

  1. MADONNA AND SAINTS
    Madonna and SaintsSebastiano Conca, ca. 1730Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  2. WORKING PEASANT
    Working PeasantCarlo Marchionni, 1728–78Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  3. François Tronchin, by Jean Etienne Liotard, 1757
    François TronchinJean Etienne Liotard, 1757Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Section 3, south wall

  1. The Lictors Bringing Brutus the Bodies of his Sons, by Jacques-Louis David, 1787
    The Lictors Bringing Brutus the Bodies of his SonsJacques-Louis David, 1787Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. FIGURES FROM SISTINE CHAPEL CEILING
    Figures from Sistine Chapel ceilingJean-Robert Ango, ca. 1759–70Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Section 4, 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. Seated Woman, by Antoine Watteau, 1716–17
    Seated WomanAntoine Watteau, 1716–17Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art