Design for a Candelabra
early 19th century
Medium
Pen, ink, and wash
Dimensions
5-1/8 x 6-1/2 in
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1962
Accession Number
62.501.38
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate drawing, titled "Design for a Candelabra," was created by an anonymous Italian artist in the early 19th century As a preparatory study rather a finished work, it reveals the thoughtful process behind designing ornamental objects meant to illuminate and adorn refined interiors. Its small scale of just 5-1/8 by 6-1/2 inches suggests it served as a practical working sketch, capturing ideas for a functional yet decorative piece. The medium of pen, ink, and wash lends itself beautifully to such designs, enabling crisp outlines for structural elements alongside fluid washes that conve...