Preparatory Drawing for an Illustration of a Tankard from the Demidov Collection

Art Historical Context

This delicate pen and ink drawing by C. Prosdocimi, dated 1879, serves as a preparatory study for illustrating a lavish tankard from the renownedidov Collection. The Demidovs, a wealthy Russian family of industrialists, amassed one of Europe's most celebrated hoards of decorative arts in the 19th century with pieces often auctioned in Paris, drawing international admiration for their ornate metalwork and historical motifs. Prosdocimi's sketch captures the tankard's intricate details—likely including figures of men, as suggested by the tags—highlighting its ornamental architecture in a precise,...