Design for Metal Frame
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1911-28-370
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Johann Alois Seethaler's *Design for Metal Frame* (ca. 1825–35) offers a glimpse into the meticulous world of early 19th-century decorative arts. Created late in the artist's life—he lived from 1796 to 1835—this preparatory work exemplifies the thoughtful planning behind metalwork production. As a design sketch, it likely served as a blueprint for crafting an elegant frame, highlighting the precision required to translate two-dimensional ideas into durable, ornate metal objects. In the context of the period, such designs were essential for workshops producing frames for mirrors, pictures, or ...