Design for 4 seat Phaeton, no top, no. 755

Art Historical Context

This delicate design drawing from Brewster & Co., with contributions by Paul Rodissart captures the elegance of a four-seat phaeton carriage—topless for open-air motoring in style—crafted between 1850 and 1870. Produced by one of New York's premier carriage makers, the sheet showcases the firm's expertise in bespoke vehicles for the elite, blending functionality with refined aesthetics during the golden age of horse-drawn transport. Phaetons were prized for their lightweight construction and speed, ideal for leisurely drives or spirited outings, reflecting mid-19th-century American aspirations for luxury and mobility. Brewster & Co. catered to affluent clients, including presidents and tycoons, making their designs symbols of status before automobiles reshaped travel. Rendered in pen and black ink for precise lines, with watercolor and gouache adding vibrant color and depth, this compact work (just over 6 by 8 inches) exemplifies the artistry of industrial drafting. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1923 by William Brewster, it offers a window into a vanishing era of craftsmanship.

About the Artist

Brewster & Co.|Paul Rodissart · 1837–present

**Brewster & Co.** Brewster & Company, a premier American coachbuilder renowned for its exquisite carriage designs, was established in 1810 in New Haven, Connecticut, by James Brewster (1788–1866). Born in 1788, Brewster trained as a wagonmaker's apprentice starting at age 16 in Northampton, Massachusetts, before relocating to New Haven, where he set up his workshop and quickly gained acclaim for...