Project for the Decoration of an Entablature with Alternative Suggestions
ca. 1650
Medium
architecture
Classification
architecture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-641
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This intriguing architectural drawing, titled *Project for the Decoration of Entablature with Alternative*, dates to around 1650 and hails from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection. Created by an unknown artist, it presents a thoughtful design proposal for embellishing an entablature horizontal band above supporting columns in classical architecture, comprising the architrave, fr, and cornice. The inclusion of "alternative suggestions" highlights the designer's innovative approach, offering visitors multiple options to adapt the decoration to specific building needs. In the mid-17...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...