Provenance

Baskett & Day

Richard Day, Ltd.
Richard Day, Ltd.

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Large floral designs with detailed petals, clusters of berries, branches and leaves, a butterfly, and a dragonfly are depicted in this image. The color palette is mainly monochrome with subtle soft pink accents. Flowers, branches, and berries are prominent in the upper left and center, while a butterfly is in the upper right. Branches with elongated leaves run from the top right to the bottom center, where the dragonfly is located in the lower left corner among downward-facing flared elements. The square background is framed by lighter triangular corners.
Jean-Baptiste Pillement, Trumpet Flowers and Daisies, black and red chalk on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1983.54.3

Trumpet Flowers and Daisies

Jean-Baptiste Pillement · · black and red chalk on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1983.54.3

This drawing depicts an architectural interior with an archway and vaulted ceiling. The rough, sketch-like style shows a section of the vaulted ceiling supported by a column transitioning into a curved arch. The emphasis is on the lines of the vaults and arches, accented with cross-hatching for depth. There are outlines that could represent windows or columns, hinting at further details. The upper part of the drawing includes abstract marks that may suggest figures or additional details. The medium is pen and ink on paper with aged patina.
Parri Spinelli, Gothic Vault [verso], c. 1440, pen and brown ink on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund and Andrew W. Mellon Fund, 1981.45.1.b

Gothic Vault [verso]

Parri Spinelli · c. 1440 · pen and brown ink on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1981.45.1.b

The image depicts a full-length figure of a person standing upright. The person is partially draped in a flowing, textured garment that covers one shoulder and extends down the body. The person's face is shown in a three-quarter view with facial features, including a curly beard and hair. The drawn lines suggest a muscular build. The person holds a staff or stick with one hand, partly covered by the draped cloth. No jewelry or additional objects are apparent. The background is plain without any detailed features, and the texture and tone of the paper are evident, giving the image an aged appearance.
Parri Spinelli, Hercules Leaning on His Club [recto], c. 1440, pen and brown ink on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund and Andrew W. Mellon Fund, 1981.45.1.a

Hercules Leaning on His Club [recto]

Parri Spinelli · c. 1440 · pen and brown ink on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1981.45.1.a

The image is a line drawing depicting two full-body figures embracing. The person on the left appears to be an older man, with a long beard and flowing hair, wearing a robe that drapes around him. His facial features are somewhat obscured due to the beard. The person on the right has long, wavy hair and appears to be younger, wearing a simple, slightly ragged tunic and skirt, and is barefoot. Both figures are barefoot. They are positioned close together, with the younger figure leaning inward, seemingly pressing their faces together. The surroundings are minimalistic, with only a few lines suggesting a step or low platform, leaving a plain background that emphasizes the interaction between the two figures.
Guercino, The Return of the Prodigal Son, c. 1640, pen and brown iron gall ink on laid paper, Gift of Diane Allen Nixon and Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1998.103.1

The Return of the Prodigal Son

Guercino · c. 1640 · pen and brown iron gall ink on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1998.103.1

The image depicts a portrait drawing of a man's upper body. The man is positioned in a three-quarter view, looking directly at the viewer with a composed expression. He has distinctive facial features including a wide forehead, arched eyebrows, deep-set eyes, a pointed mustache, and a slightly curly beard. His medium-length, curly hair frames his face. He is dressed in a dark garment with a wide, white lace-trimmed collar, and there is a hanging piece of string or tassel on his clothing. The background is plain with a textured appearance suggesting the medium of pencil or charcoal.
Thomas de Keyser, Portrait of a Man, 1657, black chalk on vellum, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1988.8.1

Portrait of a Man

Thomas de Keyser · 1657 · black chalk on vellum ·  Accession ID  1988.8.1

The image depicts a landscape with rolling hills, a distant building on a hill, a figure in red seated by a house with two cows, and small houses nestled among the hills. The scene is painted in watercolor with a soft color palette of browns, greens, and blues. Trees and expressive brushstrokes add to the serene atmosphere.
Charles Joseph Natoire, Marino and the Alban Hills, 1769, pen and brown ink with brown and gray wash, watercolor, and white gouache over black chalk on laid paper, Phillips Family Fund, 1985.36.2

Marino and the Alban Hills

Charles Joseph Natoire · 1769 · pen and brown ink with brown and gray wash, watercolor, and white gouache over black chalk on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1985.36.2

The image shows several broad fern-like leaves, clusters of berries, and a thin branched line connecting them. The color palette consists of grayscale tones with hints of reddish-brown. The fern-like patterns emerge from the top left and top center, descending diagonally to the right. In the center, there is a distinct sprig of fern set in a V shape. Smaller floral designs are visible in the bottom right and left corners, and there is a singular insect floating closer to the left edge.
Jean-Baptiste Pillement, Pagoda Flowers and Roses, black and red chalk on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1983.54.1

Pagoda Flowers and Roses

Jean-Baptiste Pillement · · black and red chalk on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1983.54.1

There are two abstract humanoid forms depicted in the image. The figures have large, balloon-like torsos and curving lines that suggest ripples or clouds. Atop their bodies are profiles resembling human faces, with feather-like textures rising from their heads. Their elongated limbs bend in various directions, resembling animated characters in motion. The forms resemble familiar human postures, presented in an imaginative and abstract style.
Stefano Della Bella, Two Men in Masquerade Costumes: The Earth and a Parade Helmet, c. 1645, pen and brown ink over graphite on laid paper; laid down, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1991.80.1

Two Men in Masquerade Costumes: The Earth and a Parade Helmet

Stefano Della Bella · c. 1645 · pen and brown ink over graphite on laid paper; laid down ·  Accession ID  1991.80.1

The image shows a landscape scene with trees, clouds, figures, rocks, vegetation, and a stream. The artwork is sketched with fine lines, soft shading, and warm sepia tones, creating depth and texture.
Nicolas Poussin, Figures Bathing in a Stream, pen and brown ink with brown wash on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1973.21.2

Figures Bathing in a Stream

Nicolas Poussin · · pen and brown ink with brown wash on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1973.21.2

The image shows multiple figures in various poses, with details such as clothing folds and hair differences. The figures are placed against a plain background, with a sense of movement or instruction implied by their positions.
Battista Franco, Spectators Amazed, early 1540s, pen and brown ink over red, and black chalk on laid paper (laid on late eighteenth-century mount), Andrew W. Mellon Fund, 1976.18.1

Spectators Amazed

Battista Franco · early 1540s · pen and brown ink over red, and black chalk on laid paper (laid on late eighteenth-century mount) ·  Accession ID  1976.18.1