Italian Renaissance Designs for the Decorative Arts | Collection Highlights | Collection of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Since the Renaissance, drawing has been the primary means of creating design; whereby eye, hand, and mind act in concert to transform ideas into physical form. The drawings that result provide an important record of the design process. Today, the computer provides a different means of design production; yet the designer's vision and creativity remain constant and critical to the process of design.

Drawing, Design for a Saltcellar
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash on white laid paper.
1911-28-35-a

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

Drawing, Design for a Saltcellar
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash on cream laid paper.
1911-28-35-b

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

Drawing, Design for a Boat-Shaped Vessel, possibly intended as a Festival Float

Drawing, Design for a Boat-Shaped Vessel, possibly intended as a Festival Float
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, black chalk on off-white laid paper.
1911-28-169

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

Symmetrical arrangement of interlaced acanthus rinceaux interspersed with animals and birds. Included are salamanders and eagles which are possible references to Federico Gonzaga and family who were important patrons of Giulio Romano.

Drawing, Design for Acanthus Rinceaux with Animals and Birds, 1524–46
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, white gouache; scale in graphite....
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council.
1911-28-418

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

Decoration of statuary base for Genoese naval hero and imperial admiral Andrea Doria, whose successes are commemorated in the marine scene seen in the framed relief on the pedestal. Surrounding this scene are two cloaked herms, supporting capitals and the upper portion of the base. Turtles and sphinxes with fishtails and a satyr mask complete the decoration.

Drawing, Design for the Base of the Monument to Andrea Doria, mid-1530s
pen and brown ink, black chalk on off-white laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-1741

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

Drawing, Design for Candelabrum Motif and Strapwork Escutcheon

Drawing, Design for Candelabrum Motif and Strapwork Escutcheon
pen and brown ink, black chalk, brush and violet watercolor on off-white laid....
1938-88-2923

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

Architectural design shows recessed fireplace with an architrave mantelpiece decorated with heavy scrollwork and a centralized mask. Above this, the entablature includes a mask framed within an escutcheon and acanthus leaves. Strapwork consoles decorate the sides, scrolling forward to flank drop finials.

Drawing, Design for a Mantelpiece, late 16th century
pen and brown ink, brush and black wash, black chalk on cream paper.
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-6412

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

The tondo is centered with the armorial device of an oak tree on a heart-shaped shield framed by a strapwork escutcheon, the coat of arms of the Della Rovere family. Two allegorical figures are seated at right and left of the heraldic arms. The figure at right holds two tablets; the left tablet is written in Latin: LIBER / GENE / RATIONE /S / IESU / CHRI / STI; the right is in pseudo-Hebrew. The figure on the left holds a cross. Two putti above holding cords of a cardinal's hat which together with the escutcheon identify the patron Cardinal Giulio della Rovere (1535-1578). A wreath encricles the design.

Drawing, Design for a Tondo with Escutcheon, 1566–78
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, white gouache over traces of black....
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-6895

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

Drawing in three registers. Upper register, garlands are suspended from a large mask which is flanked by open scrolls; central register, two male nudes (slave figures in the style of Michelangelo) rest neatly within each curving concave side of the base flanking a framed central oval medallion; lower register, volutes and lion paws with the Farnese crest at center. The left half of the sheet is more finished. Verso: Figures in a tondo. Left foreground, the Madonna is shown seated supporting the dead Christ in her lap; right foreground, the Magdalene kneels beside the Madonna behind which an unidentified figure stands. Left background, the Cross is faintly suggested. Upper edge of tondo, angels' heads.

Drawing, Design for the Base of the Silver Crucifix for the High Altar of...
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, black chalk on off-white laid paper;....
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-6982

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

Sheet shows three pieces of cutlery: a four-tined fork topped a female herm figure at left, a spoon with a scallop shaped bowl topped with a female herm figure with wings at right, and at center, an inverted spoon, also with a scalloped bowl and a satyr herm figure.

Drawing, Design for a Fork and Two Spoons, late 16th century
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over traces of black chalk or....
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-7848

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

Cropped image of a candelabrum with three legs topped with an unopened floral motif.

Drawing, Design for a Tripod Candlestick Base, 1520–43
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash on off-white squared paper, inlaid in....
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
1938-88-8111