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.

Design for a saltcellar with the bowl of the vessel in the shape of a shell supported on the back of a bearded triton who swims through waves.

Drawing, Design for a Saltcellar, 1524–46
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash on white laid paper.
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council.
1911-28-35-a

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

Saltcellar in shape of a shell with sea monster and waves underneath.

Drawing, Design for a Saltcellar, 1524–46
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash on cream laid paper.
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council.
1911-28-35-b

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

A ship-shaped bowl, supported by two mermaids, is surmounted upon a base representing the sea. The bowl is flanked by two high columns with mermaid finials connected to each other by a pole entwined with ribbon. Traces of framing lines are visible at the edges of the sketch.

Drawing, Design for a Boat-Shaped Vessel, possibly intended as a Festival...
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, black chalk on off-white laid paper.
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council.
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.

A smoking baluster candelabra decorated with masks, swags and sphinxes. At right, strapwork with masks forms the right portion of an escutcheon.

Drawing, Design for Candelabrum Motif and Strapwork Escutcheon, ca. 1560
pen and brown ink, black chalk, brush and violet watercolor on off-white laid....
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
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 Chimneypiece, 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 2 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 2 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

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

At left: design for bowl with swing handle. The handle, decorated with applied female forms, is formed by double arches that are connected in the middle by a ring and are hooked to each side of the bowl's rim between the horns of goats' heads. The bowl's body is ornamented with draped festoons, acanthus leaves and a central female mask with fan diadem. Lower center: Design for small ewer shaped as an armless, elongated female form: her head supports a shell spout; her lower body tapers at the base to a simple circular foot; the handle is formed by forward curving scrolls connecting to the shell and form's back. The body of a vessel is also lightly sketched in the lower part of the design. At right (larger in scale): Design for a ewer with neck formed by female torso; a shell spout rests upon her head. The body of this vessel is relatively plain with bands of gadrooning at the bottom; the vessel rests upon a circular pedestal base; its handle is an elaborately-curved, ribbon-like scroll which connects the shell spout to the shoulder of vessel. At lower right: Small sketch for variation of the ewer at the right.

Drawing, Designs for Two Ewers and a Swing-Handle Bowl, ca. 1550
pen and brown ink, black chalk on cream laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. John Innes Kane.
1942-36-5

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

Boat-shaped vessel supported by baluster pedestal on either side of which two nudes sit with arms raised appearing to support the vessel. The curving body of a long-necked winged harpie rests beneath the spout or prow of the ship. A harpie or female half-figure at the stern curves outward; her tail curves behind her to form the vessel's handle. The central body of the vessel displays a figural frieze. Other decorative elements include a ram's head (in the center) and an eye (towards the stern of the vessel). On verso, pen and ink framing lines along right and left edges and across upper edge.

Drawing, Design for a Vessel (Sauceboat?), ca. 1550
pen and brown ink, brush and brown, gray wash, black chalk on cream laid....
Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. John Innes Kane.
1942-36-6

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

Both knives with heavily ornamented handles. At left, carving knife with hook-tipped blade has handle decorated with figure of bound Marsyas with his hands above his head as bearded man kneels between his legs and grasps his genitals. At right, broad-blade servivng knife with rounded blunt tip; handle displays Apollo's griffin above two bare-breasted female figures with a bearded man (perhaps Olympus) at their feet.

Print, Two Knives, ca. 1640
engraving on off-white laid paper.
Gift of William H. Schab.
1944-84-1

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

A vertical ornamental motif, bilaterally divided, shows a winged figure, holding trumpets and palm leaves, and supporting a bird cage. Upper level, two seated figures write on tablets that read S.P.Q.R. (The Roman Senate and People) and D.M.A.N. Two bound captives sit beneath a military trophy. In the center of the panel, a winged figure supporting a birdcage holds trumpets and palm leaves, symbols of victory. At the top, two seated Roman senate and people. Two bound captives sit beneath a military trophy and above a small ornamental battle scene.

Print, Ornament Panel with Bird Cage, ca. 1507
engraving on off-white laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1946-29-3

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

Upper part of the print depicts the musical contest between Apollo, playingthe lyre and Marsayas playing the bagpipes. In a narrow relief below, the flaying of Marsyas is depicted. Seated on a pedestal at bottom of the print two satyrs play musical pipes.In the relief above them, a satyr plays the pipes to a stag on the right, while Apollo chases Daphne on the left. Image is heavily ornamented with figures.

Print, Ornament Panel Inscribed "Victoria Augusta", ca. 1507
engraving on off white laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1946-29-4

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

Drawing, Design for Candelabrum and Panel of Grotesques, early 16th century
pen and brown ink on paper, lined.
Museum purchase through gift of Walter Leo Hildburgh.
1956-41-1

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

A dog lying in stately fashion atop a dais and tasseled cushion and beneath a canopy with curtains pulled aside.

Drawing, Design for Memorial to a Dog, 1531–34
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash on off-white laid paper hinged to....
Gift of Hugh Cassel.
1958-143-14

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

Design shows ewer with handle formed from two snakes and lip formed by a shell resting on a grotesque head. At center is a relief band showing a battle of seahorses and figures, with grotesque heads above and terms below.

Print, Ewer with a Bas-Relief, 1543
engraving.
Museum purchase through gift of E.F. Caldwell & Co..
1963-9-243

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

Vertical rectangle. Covered vase with bulbous body rests upon pedestal base. A ball finial, gadrooning and fluting are at top. Body decorated with a central female mask below which is a garland of fruits and flowers suspended by two half-figures located on each side whose bodies terminate in acanthus leaves.

Print, Vase Decorated with Figures, Rinceaux, and Festoons, 1543
engraving.
Museum purchase through gift of E.F. Caldwell & Co..
1963-9-250

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

Print, Ewer with a Satyr Holding a Large Conch (Vico), 1543

Print, Ewer with a Satyr Holding a Large Conch (Vico), 1543
engraving.
Museum purchase through gift of E.F. Caldwell & Co..
1963-9-252

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

The edges of the sheet are framed by candelabra (rendered in half form) composed of a variety of swags and animals, notably a pelican at top center; a monkey wearing a jester's cap at upper left; a saytr at center facing left and climbing stairs; a duck and a dragon fly at center and two frolicking rabbits at lower right.

Drawing, Design for Grotesque Decoration, mid–late 16th century
pen and brown ink, black chalk on off-white laid paper, mounted on laid paper .
Museum purchase through gift of the Misses Leupp and Mary Turlay Robinson and....
1994-64-1

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

The edges of the sheet are framed by candelabra and strapwork frame (rendered in half form) and composed of a variety of swags and animals. A saytr at right faces left and holds a swag; a fantastic animal crouches at left and at bottom of sheet walks left carring a bunch of flowers and is followed by a goose.

Drawing, Design for Grotesque Decoration, mid–late 16th century
pen and brown ink on laid paper, mounted on laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of the Misses Leupp and Mary Turlay Robinson and....
1994-64-2

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

The edges of the sheet are framed by candelabra (rendered in half form) and composed of a variety of swags and animals Fantastic animals at center left and right threaten a small saytr at center who balances on a swag. At bottom a sphinx with human face crouches, facing left.

Drawing, Design for Grotesque Decoration, mid–late 16th century
pen and brown ink, black chalk on laid paper.
Museum purchase through gift of the Misses Leupp and Mary Turlay Robinson and....
1994-64-3

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

Fork at top left with end of handle formed by female bust; an extended volute forms length of handle which connects to a satyr whose legs tranform into two fork tines. Spoon at top right has handle formed by satyr-herm whose lower half extends to connect to bowl of spoon with two opposing scrolls and a mask. Design for saltcellar and egg dish in center; figures of Leda and the swan at top of vessel upon a raised rectangular plinth; relief panel with two swans on front side of plinth; lower part of vessel is six-sided with round well for holding an egg on each end and projecting seashell to hold salt in center front; front panel displays figure of Venus reclining on the sea with one elbow resting on a dolphin and other hand holding reigns of two dolphins, ornamental curtain above the scene; dolphin heads on lower corners form the feet; guilloche ornament borders the lower edge; oval reserves with figures on angled sides. Plan of vessel at bottom, inscription located within the rectangle framing for the raised plinth and between the seashell shapes for the salt and round shapes for the eggs.

Drawing, Design for a Salt Cellar and Egg Dish with Fork and Spoon, ca. 1570
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, charcoal or black chalk traces,....
Museum purchase from Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program....
1996-20-1

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

Collection Highlights: Italian Renaissance Designs for the Decorative Arts