We're a Band of Brothers
ca. 1883, based on a design of ca. 1867
Medium
Graphite, ink, and gouache (bodycolor)
Dimensions
Sheet: 15 15/16 in. × 11 in. (40.5 × 27.9 cm)
Classification
Drawings|Ornament & Architecture
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 1992
Accession Number
1992.1046.2
Tags
About this artwork
This drawings|ornament & architecture by british, scottish artist Christopher Dresser exemplifies the artistic achievements of ca. 1883, based on a design of ca. 1867. Drawing served as a vital practice for artists, functioning as both preparatory studies and finished works that reveal creative processes and technical skills. Created in graphite, ink, and gouache (bodycolor), this painting showcases the artist's technical command and aesthetic sensibility. The medium offered particular qualities...
Art Historical Context
**We're a Band of Brothers** by Christopher Dresser, a pioneering British and Scottish designer, dates to around 1883 and draws from an earlier concept circa 1867. This drawing, classified under ornament and architecture, carries a satirical edge—its title echoing Shakespeare's *Henry V* to perhaps poke fun at brotherhood or unity in design motifs. Dresser, active during the Victorian era's design reform movement, was renowned for blending functionality with bold aesthetics, and this work offers a window into his creative evolution across nearly two decades. Crafted in graphite, ink, and goua...
About the Artist
Christopher Dresser · 1834–1904
Christopher Dresser (1834–1904) was one of the most innovative and prolific designers of the nineteenth century, widely regarded as a pioneer of industrial design long before that discipline had a name. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he trained at the Government School of Design in London, where he studied under leading educators committed to improving the quality of British manufactured goods. He wen...