Study of Siena Cathedral
Classification
architecture, interiors
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Walter Shirlaw
Accession Number
1912-16-106
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Walter Shirlaw's *Study of Siena Cathedral*ca. 1872) offers a captivating glimpse into one of Italy's most iconic Gothic masterpieces. Born in Scotland and later an influential American artist and illustrator, Shirlaw was renowned for his meticulous detail and Pre-Raphaelite-inspired. Active in New York City's vibrant art scene, he contributed to magazines like *Harper's Weekly* before turning to fine art. This architectural study, likely sketched during European travels common among 19th-century American artists, captures the intricate interiors of Siena's Duomo—a 13th-century marvel famed fo...