Designs for a Mantelpiece
1746–1809
Classification
interiors
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund
Accession Number
1938-88-1682
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Giuseppe Barberi (1746–1809), a prominent Italian architect and designer active in Rome during the late 18th century, created *Designs for a Mantel* as part of his explorations in interior architecture. This work, housed in the Smithsonian American Art's collection (acquired through museum purchase and the Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund falls under the classification of "interiors," highlighting Barberi's expertise in ornamental elements that defined elegant homes of the era. Mantelpieces were focal points in period interiors, serving both functional and decorative roles above fireplaces—the heart of...