Sophia Crownfield: Drawn from Nature | Exhibitions | Collection of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

This exhibition was on display from February 04, 2022 to July 31, 2022.

There were 32 objects in this exhibition but right now we can only show you 28 of them. Some objects may not be viewable because they were on loan; this might be due to issues involving image rights or simply because there is no digitized image for the objects.

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Five purple thistles with green foliage stand in sharp contrast on a vertical, rectangular sheet of black paper. The flowers are painted with fine sweeping brushstrokes in pale purple and pink, and highlighted with dots of white. The spiky foliage of the plants is painted in varying shades of light green. The foreground leaves are painted pale green; the background leaves are darker, creating a realistic illusion of depth. The thistle heads are arranged in various facings. At upper left, a large thistle in side view reaches up to the corner of the page. Halfway down the page, on the left, a medium thistle in three-quarter view turns left; on the right, a small thistle in side view faces right. Two-thirds down the page, on the left, a small thistle in side view nods left; on the right, a large thistle in three-quarter view turns right.

Drawing, Study of Thistles
brush and oil on black paper.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-4

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

A watercolor study of two pale pink peonies, centered in the upper half of a horizontal, rectangular sheet of grey-brown paper. The left flower has a suggestion of light green stem; the right flower is blossom only. The wide-open, frilled petals of each flower are painted in shades of white, pink, and purple, in gestural brushstrokes. Bright pink lines mark some petals, radiating from a golden yellow and green center. 'good for wall paper border' is handwritten in pencil along the top edge of the paper. 'No. 23' is written in curling handwritten script above the flowers; 'S.L. Crownfield' is signed below the flowers. '-22' is handwritten in pencil in the bottom right corner.

Drawing, Study of Pale Pink Peonies
brush and watercolor, graphite on gray paper.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-22

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Three golden yellow squash or pumpkin blossoms sit among bright green leaves and curling vines, on a wide, rectangular sheet of white paper. The left flower is still furled, not quite in bloom; the center and right flowers are fully opened into flaring trumpet shapes, facing left and right. The insides of the flowers are a rich golden yellow, especially the center flower; the outsides are pale yellow and green. Behind the left flower, pale green leaves and vines grow out beyond the border of the page. Below the left and center flowers, large bright green leaves spread from the surrounding vines. The right flower is flanked by smaller vines and leaves in soft green. 'No. 18' is handwritten at center above the flowers, along the top edge of the page. 'S.L. Crownfield' is signed twice, in lower right and bottom right. '-33' is handwritten in pencil in the bottom right corner.

Drawing, Study of Squash or Pumpkin Plants
brush and watercolor, graphite on paper.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-33

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

A line drawing study of amaryllis flowers and leaves, on a tall sheet of yellow tracing paper. The flowers are drawn in clean lines and slightly shaded with graphite and watercolor. At left, a large six-petalled bloom faces us. The three lower petals are marked at their centers with green, red, and white paint. Pink stamens grow out from the center of the flower. A trumpet-shaped bud peeks out from behind the flower head, facing down to the left, lightly shaded with graphite. The stem is colored with pale green watercolor, against upright blade-shaped leaves slightly shaded in graphite. At right, a second amaryllis faces right, petals and stamens colored in the same way. The two tall leaves behind the flower are painted pale green and shaded at the bottom with graphite. 'No. 2' is handwritten at top center left; 'S.L. Crownfield' is signed at bottom right. Faint handwritten notations on the reverse of the paper can be seen in the bottom left corner, appearing to read '1937-59-34 PJ 4-3'. '-34' is handwritten in pencil in the bottom right corner.

Drawing, Study of Amaryllises
pen and ink, brush and watercolor, graphite on tracing paper.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-34

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

A rectangular swatch of silk printed with bouquets of purple amaryllises and green leaves, on a pink background. The top and bottom edges are slightly frayed; the fabric appears thin and gauzy. The design repeats two clusters of flowers. The central cluster shows three amaryllises in shades of light purple with spring green leaves and stems. This design is surrounded at top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right by parts of the second bouquet motif, cut off by the edges of the fabric. It is a similar design of three or four flowers, in the same colors. The salmon pink background harmonizes with the colors of the flowers and leaves.

Textile (USA)
silk.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-35

This object is part of the Textiles collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Three tall purple irises painted on a rectangular sheet of grey paper. There are two irises at left, a taller one growing in front of a shorter; there is one iris at right, as tall as the shorter iris at left. The outer petals of each flower are light purple, veined with dark purple, and marked with yellow at the base of the petal. These frilled petals curl down, surrounding short dark purple petals standing upright at center. The stems and leaves are painted in flat gestural washes of various greens, in contrast to the detailed rendering of the blossoms. A handwritten pencil notation in the bottom right corner appears to read '-39'.

Drawing, Study of Irises
brush and watercolor on grey paper.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-39

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Drawing, Study of Thistle Plants

Drawing, Study of Thistle Plants
graphite, pen and ink on yellow tracing paper.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-45

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Various watercolor studies of purple and burgundy thistles, with green stems and leaves, are painted across a wide horizontal white paper. Stretching across the middle of the left half of the page, a loose, gestural study of spiky green thistle leaves on a curving, horizontal stem. The prickly textures of the other plants are painted with fine brushstrokes and shading. Three other studies are painted below the gestural stem: in the bottom left corner, a bud or cluster of leaves; one-third in from the left edge, an upright burgundy bud on a short, spiky stem; at center, a purple thistle leaning right on its leafy stem, almost horizontal. Above the gestural stem, at center, a burgundy thistle head on a short stem leaning left. To its right, another burgundy thistle head in the same pose, with the stem and leaves more fully rendered. At the right edge, a pale purple and burgundy thistle head on a long leafy stem, leaning left. In the top right corner, a closed green bud on short stem. Handwritten at top center, 'No. 20'; signed at bottom right, 'S.L. Crownfield'.

Drawing, Six Studies of Thistles
brush and watercolor on white paper.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-48

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 4 images of this object.

Textile (USA)
silk.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-49

This object was made by Cheney Brothers.
This object is part of the Textiles collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Textile (USA)
silk.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-51

This object is part of the Textiles collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

This line drawing study shows two poppy flowers and foliage, on a sheet of yellow tracing paper. The tall flowers fill the page at center and right. Their broad, flat, frilled petals spread out from a globe-shaped center fringed with stamens drawn in short clusters of inked lines. The center of each flower is colored with dark purple watercolor. The center flower is lightly shaded with grey wash. At left is a poppy leaf, with serrated lobes that grow progressively longer moving down the stem. The veins and prickles on the leaves are drawn with fine lines. At the top of the page, 'No. 7' in handwritten script; signed bottom left, 'S.L. Crownfield'.

Drawing, Study of Poppies
pen and black ink, graphite, brush and watercolor on tracing paper.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-57

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Drawing, Three Studies of Poppies

Drawing, Three Studies of Poppies
brush and gouache on gray paper.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-59

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Textile (USA)
silk.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-61

This object was made by Cheney Brothers.
This object is part of the Textiles collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

This object has not been digitized yet.

Textile, Cosmos, 1913
silk.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History, T01023.000.
42.2019.1

This object has not been digitized yet.

Textile, Japanese Iris, ca. 1910
silk.
Maryland Institute College of Art, Decker Library, B5F270_Japanese Irises.
43.2019.1

This object has not been digitized yet.

Drawing, Cosmos, early 20th century
brush and gouache on white paper.
Maryland Institute College of Art, Decker Library, B6F329_Cosmos.
43.2019.5

This object has not been digitized yet.

Textile, early 20th century
silk.
Maryland Institute College of Art, Decker Library, B6F342_Chrysanthemum silk....
43.2019.6

This object has not been digitized yet.

Design For A Cushion Cover, early 20th century
brush and gouache on white paper.
Maryland Institute College of Art, Decker Library, B2F70_Chrysanthemum design....
43.2019.8

Drawing, Study of Irises

Drawing, Study of Irises
pen and ink, graphite and watercolor on yellow tracing paper.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-37

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

A line drawn study of flowers on a rectangular sheet of yellow paper. The flowers have many small, long petals clustered together in large heads. There are faint pencil underdrawings beneath the inked lines. At top left, a flower head shown in isolation; below, a long stem with lobed leaves attached. At top right, a flower and bud on a long stem with leaves. At bottom right, a large flower and bud on a short stem with leaves. The flower is sparingly colored with white and pink, with a green and yellow center; the bud is dark pink. Centered at the top of the page, 'No. 12' in handwritten script; at bottom center left, 'S.L. Crownfield' signed below the drawing.

Drawing, Studies of Chrysanthemums
pen and black ink, graphite, brush and watercolor, gouache on tracing paper.
Gift of Starling W. Childs and Ward Cheney.
1937-59-52

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

This object has not been digitized yet.

Photo Reproduction, Sophie L. Crownfield working in her studio, undated
digital reproduction.
s-e-3401

This object has not been digitized yet.

Cheney Brothers Advertisement, “Shower-Proof” Foulards, March 15, 1913
digital reproduction.
s-e-3402

This object has not been digitized yet.

Design For Textile Fabric: Patent 38,086, June 12, 1906
digital reproduction.
s-e-3405

This square swatch of wallpaper shows a dense tangle of trailing pink roses and green foliage, growing atop an arched white trellis. The shades of light to dark pink and pale to dark green create a sense of depth in the design. The centers of the roses are the same greens as the foliage. The background is light blue, with a sparse darker blue design of rose leaves. 'M. H. BIRGE & SONS, CO. U.S.A. 676 2', rotated ninety degrees right, is printed in pink along the blank left edge of the wallpaper.

Sidewall (USA)
machine-printed paper.
Gift of Philadelphia Museum of Art.
1971-58-11

This object is part of the Wallcoverings collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Book, The Other Side of the Rainbow, being the Adventures of Old-Fashioned Jane

Book, The Other Side of the Rainbow, being the Adventures of Old-Fashioned Jane
paper, paperboard.
University of Colorado Boulder Libraries.
9.2020.1

This object has not been digitized yet.

Design For A Wallpaper Frieze, early 20th century
brush and gouache on paper.
Maryland Institute College of Art, Decker Library, B1F59.
43.2019.10

This object has not been digitized yet.

Design For Textile Fabric: Patent 49,705, Sept. 26, 1916
digital reproduction.
s-e-3542

This object has not been digitized yet.

Fashion Illustration For A Kimono Design, Pattern 5873, The Delineator,...
digital reproduction.
General Research Division, The New York Public Library.
s-e-3543