Case of organ pipes
1746â1809
Classification
architecture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund
Accession Number
1938-88-1785
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Giuseppe Barberi, an architect active in the late 18th century (6–1809), this *Case of Organ Pipes*, a striking example of architectural design from his era. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum through a museum purchase supported by various donors and the Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund the piece reflects the ornate craftsmanship typical of Italian ecclesiastical art. Barberi, known for his work in Rome during a time of transition from Baroque exuberance to emerging Neoclassicism, likely designed this as a decorative enclosure for church organ pipes, blending functionality with aesthetic gran...