Design for a Painted Ceiling
Classification
interiors
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. John Innes Kane
Accession Number
1948-40-164
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Design for a Painted Ceiling** by Frederick Crace (1779–1859) offers a glimpse into the opulent interior design traditions of early 19th-century England. Created between 1815 and 1822, during the Regency era, this preparatory design reflects the period's fascination with grandeur and classical revival. Crace, a skilled English decorator from a renowned family of artisans, specialized in lavish interiors for elite patrons, blending architectural precision with artistic flourish. As a study for a painted ceiling, the work highlights the era's emphasis on trompe l'œil effects and ornamental sc...