Design for a Decorative Panel
1880â1900
Classification
architecture, interiors
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1961-10-20
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
John La Farge (1835–1910), a pioneering American artist of the Gilded Age, created *Design for a Decorative* between 1880 and 1900. This work reflects the era's fascination with lavish interior design, when wealthy patrons commissioned elaborate architectural embellishments to evoke grandeur and cultural sophistication. La Farge, trained in Europe and influenced by Japanese aesthetics and Pre-Raphaelite detail, bridged fine art and decoration, often collaborating on murals and panels for homes, churches, and public spaces. Classified under architecture and interiors in the Smithsonian America...