Pier Glass

Art Historical Context

**Pier Glass** by Robert William Hume (1850–1904) is a delicate pen and ink drawing heightened with watercolor, capturing the elegance of Victorian-era ornamental design. Depicting a pier glass—a tall, arched mirror typically placed between windows in grand parlors—this work exemplifies the intricate architectural ornamentation popular in 19th-century Britain and America. Hume, known for his precise renderings of decorative elements, showcases the mirror's elaborate frame with scrolling foliage, gilded accents, and symmetrical motifs, evoking the opulence of high-style interiors. Created during the height of the Victorian period, when pier glasses symbolized wealth and refinement, this drawing likely served as a design study for furniture makers or architects. The mixed-media technique—fine pen lines for detail and soft watercolor washes for depth—highlights Hume's mastery in conveying texture and light reflection, a nod to the era's fascination with illusionistic effects in domestic spaces. Acquired through the bequest of Jessie F. Hume in 1930, it now resides in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Drawings and Prints. Visitors will appreciate how this modest sheet transports us to an age of lavish symmetry, where mirrors not only reflected faces but also the aspirations of their owners.

About the Artist

Robert William Hume · 1816–1904

Robert William Hume (1816–1904) was a British artist and craftsman who contributed to the documentation of decorative arts and design in nineteenth-century Britain. Working during the Victorian era, Hume was part of a generation of artists and designers who combined artistic skill with antiquarian interests, producing detailed studies and records of historical objects, ornamental patterns, and arc...