Two Sicilies | Collection Highlights | Collection of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Lower section consists of a bilateral design for a hexagonal platform with posts with alternate suggestions on each side. The platform is shown from above. The obelisk is divided in many sections. The plans of the lower half are hexagonal. Various ornaments decorate the sections, including a mermaid, brackets with urns, and an escutcheon with cherub above.
Angels stand on brackets and there is a bust of a Pope on the frontispiece. At top of pedestal, seated and kneeling angels carrying a sphere upon which a saint stands. There is a dog with a torch beside him.

(Study for plague monument in Piazza before S. Domenico Maggiore, Naples.)

Drawing, Design for the Obelisk of St. Dominic, Piazza San Domenico Maggiore,...
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, black chalk on cream laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors.
1901-39-218

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

An old man is playing a harp. A figure of a boy, holding a scroll, is singing; a dog is asleep on the left. The peasants, either standing or sitting, are gathered around the musicians. The background shows a view of a mountainous landscape with trees and houses. Verso: the upper part of a sketch depicting a mountainous landscape with trees and houses.

Drawing, Peasants Listening to Itinerant Musicians, ca. 1665
red crayon, pen and brown ink on paper; verso: pen and ink, brush and sepia wash.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors.
1901-39-530

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

Architectural drawing. Only the left half of the tower visible. The tower consists of an oblong room with a balcony (in the middle of the entablature), a high candelabrum with lamps and three lamps of small sizes in left corner. The plan of the tower is hexagonal. In front of its first section above, the dado is shown, an ovoid medallion with a half length portrait of a female saint carried by an angel. Rows of candle brackets flank it. The next section shows at the front a row of lamps which are connected by festoons, with the one at the front at left holding a thread. The statues are flanked by candelabra with burning candles. The next section consists of steps and a pedestal with rows of lamps at the corners and two angels raising a sensor at the front. A bishop stands above upon clouds containing many angels. A glory of light surrounds him. Below is a scale.

Drawing, Design for a Bishop's Catafalque, 1710–40
black chalk, pen and brown ink, brush and wash on two pieces of paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors.
1901-39-1370

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

Half-completed drawing for a memorial. At center, an oval portrait (of Giovanni Domenico Milano). Above, a figure playing trumpet, and at left a sitting figure with a staff. At the left border of the drawing, a figure stands with upraised arms on a thick baluster. A heavy curtain is suspended from above, forming the background for the completed part of the drawing.

Drawing, Study for the Memorial to Giovanni Domenico Milano, Duca di San...
brush and gray wash, graphite on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors.
1901-39-2173

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Vertical rectangle. Figure of Saint Elizabeth of Portugal adoring Jesus on the Crucifix. Angels and other figures at the base of the Crucifix, drapery and column at upper left, a crown at lower center. Paper arched at the top, lined, with elaborate mount.

Drawing, Design Depicting a Vision of the Crucifixion, ca. 1730
black chalk, brush and gray wash, white gouache, squared in black chalk on paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-64-272

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

Half-length portrait of young man turned toward viewer and sitting at a table. He wears pince-nez. Right hand raised holding pen, the left rests on paper.

Drawing, Portrait of a Prelate, 1680–1700
pen and ink on paper.
Gift of Eleanor Garnier Hewitt.
1931-65-16

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

Horizontal rectangle. The business goes on in front of the storeroom, which is in the basement at the corner of a house. A man is busy cutting a melon, another raises two halves and shouts. A boy carries two trays with pieces of melons. Children eat or await their shares. A boy tries the ripeness of a melon, a child searches among the peels. A boy is shown eating in the left corner. Framing line. The signature is in the lower right corner: "Gatta f. 1828."

Drawing, Water color; A Neapolitan watermelon shop, 1828
pen and black ink and yellow, red, blue, green, brown, gray water colors on....
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-1

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Horizontal rectangle. Three men move a boat lying on the shore, at left. At right are a standing and spinning woman, a seated woman nursing a baby with a girl standing beside her, three men and an eating child. At left is a rock, at right is a promontory with structure, in the background are Capri and the peninsula of Sorrento. Framing line. The signature is in the lower right corner: "Gatta f. 1828."

Drawing, Water color; On the shore in Chiaja, 1828
black chalk and various water colors on paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-2

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Four women, a man, and children in the dress of their respective regions.

Drawing, Water color; Costumes of Sorrento, Ischia, Procida, Gaeta
black chalk and watercolors.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-3

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Horizontal rectangle. A man is show [sic] standing upon the jetty and reciting from a book. His hat lies in front of him. He is surrounded by listeners forming a semicircle. The lighthouse is shown in the middle distance. Framing lines. Signature: "Gatta 1828."

Drawing, Water color; Rinaldo Rinaldini is reciting upon the jetty, 1828
pen and black ink, water colors on paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-4

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Horizontal rectangle. Two couples dance in the open to the music played by a man with a guitar and a woman with a tambourine. A woman with a baby is shown at right sitting in the middle distance at a slope. Mountainous country. Framing lines. Signature: "Gatta 1828."

Drawing, Water color; Tarantella dancers, 1828
pen and black ink and water colors on paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-5

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Horizontal rectangle. A man riding upon a horse which carries luggage beside him, leads the front mule carrying with another a sedan chair in which a woman and a man sit. A driver with a long stick walks at right. A dog accompanies the caravans. In the background are the sea, Vesuvius and other mountains. Framing lines. Signature in the lower right corner: "1828/Gatta f."

Drawing, Journey by Sedan Chair, 1828
black chalk, pen and black ink, brush and watercolor on paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-6

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

Horizontal rectangle. Three fishermen in boat and another seated upon a stone are shown fishing in a huge cave lighted by a fire at the stern of the boat. A fifth man stands at left. Framing lines.

Drawing, Water color; Night Fishing at the Entrance to a Cave, 1828
pen and black ink and water colors on wove paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-7

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

In the middle distance at left sits a woman upon a stone, "Donna di Nicastro." In the center is a group of three women, one holding a spinning stick, the others discoursing with each other. At right, a man with a gun. "Vomo, e Donne di Garaffa Albanesi." At right is a woman with a wooden bakery shovel. "Fornara Albanese." In mountainous country.

Drawing, Water color; Costumes of South Calabria, 1828
water colors.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-8

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Horizontal rectangle. The fruit boxes are displayed at left outside of a house at a square. A scaffold is erected on poles which are covered with leaves. Two men serve the customers. A woman sits upon a chair in the left corner; a boy stands beside her. A girl and a boy with a dog leave the shop at right. Framing lines. Signature: "Gatta 1828."

Drawing, Water color; A fruit stall in Naples at Christmas, 1828
black chalk and various water colors on paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-9

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

A man with a donkey carrying baskets with fruits is shown at left in the middle distance. "Venditore di Frutta di Monreale." In the corner are a woman with a dog, "Donna di Catania," a woman and a man with gun and sword, "Vomo, e Donna della Piana de Greci." At right are a standing woman and in front of her a seated woman with a child, "Donna di Siracusa. Donna di Palermo."

Drawing, Costumes of Sicily, 1828
pen and black ink, and watercolors on paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-10

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Horizontal rectangle. Two men carry a sedan chair, labeled "NAP[IOO {or} ION]" with two persons. A woman and three children accompany it in the middle distance. In the foreground at left sits a woman with a child. In the middle distance at left is shown the corner of a palatial house. Framing lines. Signature in the lower right corner: "Gatta."

Drawing, Water color; A midwife with a baby on the way to church for...
black chalk, pen and black ink, various water colors on paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-11

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

Horizontal rectangle. Two male peasants dance in front of a cask (butt), upon which a man sits, a boy stands. A man blows a bagpipe, another a recorder. Two women stand; a third sits looking on at right. Mountainous country with a town at right. Framing lines. Signature: "Gatta 1827."

Drawing, Water color; Two peasants dancing to the music of bagpipe and horn,...
pen and black ink and water colors on wove paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-12

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Horizontal rectangle. The vegetables are displayed upon a scaffold at the corner of a house, and in baskets. Others are loaded by a man and a boy upon an ass. A woman bargains with the vendor with another woman standing by. A vegetable dealer with an ass is shown from the back in the middle distance. In the background at left are houses and a door leading into the inner town of Naples. Signed in pen and ink at lower right: "Gatta."

Drawing, Water color; A vegetable stall, 1827
pen and black ink and water colors on paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-13

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Horizontal rectangle. A woman with a baby and two bigger children sits upon the pavement in the southeast corner of the Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples. A dish with corn is in front of her. A child eats one, a woman takes one. A carriage, a soldier, a walking man are shown on the place. Castel S. Elmo and S. Martino are shown in the background. Framing lines. Signature: "Gatta" in pen and ink at lower right.

Drawing, Water color; A woman selling roasted corn, 1827
pen and black ink and water colors on paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-14

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Horizontal rectangle. Pulcinella carrying a horn in his right hand and pointing with the left forefinger upon someone, stands upon a podium in front of the corner of a structure in the neighborhood of the Castel Nuovo in Naples. Beside him stands a girl in the attire of a page of the later 16th century and playing violin. Two cloths with paintings hang as posters above the entrance door. Women and children are at right; children, a woman and men, among whom is a Franciscan monk are at left. Framing lines. Signature: "Gatta" at lower right.

Drawing, Water color; Performers of a Commedia dell'Arte, 1827
pen and black ink and water colors on paper.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1931-73-15

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Design of wall decoration and monument showing architectural façade with alternate suggestions for balconies and niches. At center, a large arch with military trophies and captives frames an equestrian statue and allegorical figural sculptures. Behind, a courtyard with the façade of another building.

Drawing, Design of Wall Decoration and Equestrian Monument for Law Courts,...
pen and black ink, brush and gray wash, graphite on ivory paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-25

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Design for wall decoration, architectural design with cartouche at center, over which putti surrounded in drapery are holding a royal crown.

Drawing, Palace Façade with Cartouche, mid- 18th century
pen and black ink, brush and gray wash on laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-26

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Vertical rectangle showing a door which is left empty, and an architectural aetting with stairs leading to a circular hall. On top of door is emblem showing mitre, hook and cross.

Drawing, Staircase to Arcade in Bishop’s Palace, ca. 1750
pen and brown ink, gray wash on laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-27

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Vertical rectangle showing arched entryway with stairs and asymmetrical cartouche.

Drawing, Arched Doorway with Stairs, ca. 1750
pen and brown ink, gray wash on laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-28

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Vertical rectangle showing archway. Only left side of drawing finished.

Drawing, Architectural Design Around Door, ca. 1750
pen and brown ink, gray wash, black chalk on laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-29

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Vertical rectangle showing archway. Only right side of drawing finished.

Drawing, Architectural design around door, ca. 1750
pen and brown ink, brown wash, black chalk on laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-30

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

View of the interior of a prison court with a winch for a lantern and another for loads

Drawing, Stage Design of a Prison Interior, mid-18th century
pen and brown ink, brush and gray-blue wash over black chalk on laid paper,....
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-35

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Ground plan of the San Carlo theatre at Naples. Verso: study for the base of a tomb and section of a circular ground plan.

Drawing, Pianta del Teatro Reale di Napoli Denominato di San Carlo [Ground...
pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash on laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-97

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

The saint is carried upwards, kneeling upon a cloud, and accompanied by angels, two of whom carry a lily spray and a sheet of paper. The upper outlines of windows are probably indicated below at left and at right. Verso: indistinct figure sketches (in black chalk).

Drawing, Glorification of St. Filippo Neri, 1624–1706
pen and brown ink, black chalk on cream laid paper; verso: black chalk.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-2507

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

An angel, standing on a base, carries in his raised hands a capital, upon which an escutcheon stands. It is crowned by a cross and surrounded by flower sprays as shown in the left side.

Drawing, Design for a Reliquary, 1675–1700
brush and blue wash, pen and brown ink, black chalk on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-2571

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

Large palace with unfinished upper storey, seen from one corner, situated near a bay. Boats and fishermen. Beside it, at right, is a mediaeval palace. At left are rocks. Framing line.

Drawing, The Palace of Donn' Anna at Naples, 1725–50
brush and brown and gray wash, pen and brown ink on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-2990

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

Seated upon clouds are a woman beside a lamb and an armoured woman holding a column. An angel holding the tiara flies over them, another one shouldering the keys at left, a genius blowing the trumpet, at right. Four animals are shown at the foot of the group: a seal, a unicorn, an eagle with a double head (referring to Austria or Russia), a lion crouching on a fork (England). Written on top, in pencil: "Trionfo della Mansuetudine e della Fortezza." [Triumph of Gentleness and Strength]

Drawing, Design for a Painted Ceiling: Triumph of Meekness and Strength, ca....
brush and black wash, pen and ink, black chalk on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-3313

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

Left half of an architectural interior is shown. View through a kind of proscenium with a caryatid in an apse. It has a basement with window grates. The main floor has the shape of an arcade with balconies with screens. Three steps lead into the center to a platform upon which twisted columns, three in a row, support an arch. Shown is "Ahasverus," accompanied by soldiers, stretching out his arms towards "Esther," kneeling. The mace is in his right hand. Framing line, below, at left. Below is the scale: "Canna."

Drawing, Design for an Illusionistic Wall Decoration, with a King Accompanied...
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, black chalk on white laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-3348

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

Architectural interior drawing of a two-tiered wall decorated with candelabrum, statues, columns, and pediments.

Drawing, Elevation of the Nave of a Church, 18th century
pen and black ink, brush and gray wash on white laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-3394

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

Bell tower, probably built in honor of King Ferdinand IV of Naples (reigned 1759 to 1825).

Drawing, Bell tower, probably for Ferdinand IV of Naples, 1785
pen and brown ink, and watercolors.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-3455

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.