Design for a casino
1785
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1911-28-93
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the late 18th century with intriguing *Design for a Casino* (1785), a delicate drawing from the Smithsonian American Museum's collection. Created just two years after the American Revolution's triumphant end, it captures a moment when the young nation was envisioning leisure and public spaces amid newfound independence. In this era, a "casino" often referred not to modern gambling halls but to elegant pavilions or social gathering spots—think light-filled retreats for dancing, conversation, and genteel entertainment, inspired by European pleasure gardens. As an architectural drawing...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...