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Three Sketches of Building Details, Antwerp

Catalog Data

Artist:
Whitney Warren Jr., American, 1864–1943  Search this
Medium:
Graphite on cream paperboard tipped into binding with fabric
Dimensions:
31.3 x 23.6 cm (12 5/16 x 9 5/16 in.), irregular
Type:
architecture
Album page
Object Name:
Album page
Made in:
Antwerp, Belgium
Place depicted:
Antwerp, Belgium
Date:
August 17, 1887
Catalogue Status:
Research in Progress
Description:
Vertical sheet illustrating three masonry façades, clockwise from top left: View from the rear of a "crow's step" or "trap gevel" masonry building façade. The façade has been reinforced vertically at the center with corbelling. Directly below this is a square opening from which projects out a square rod, ending in a curved or angled flange. Marked D (inscribed in circle) and noted as Anthwerp [sic]. Next is a view of the "crow's step" or "trap gevel" masonry façade bearing a date marker plate that reads 1580. This is possibly the façade of the same building in the previous sketch, but at the opposite end. The façade has many steps creating a strong, triangular shape. A single string course separates the upper six steps from those below. Within this space is a square opening and what appears to be the face of a male figure in stone. Below the datemarker are three window openings, and possibly the decorative ends of tie rods. This sketch is noted as: E (inscribed in circle), Back (underlined), Antwerp / Aug 17th 1887. The final sketch is marked F (inscribed in circle) and noted as: Front (underlined). It is the view of another 'trapgevel' masonry façade, though much more ornamental with the addition of scroll work elements that end each of the three steps, in a fashion typical of Northern Dutch and Flemish cities. The top step projects high and is completed with a projecting cornice cap. Directly below this seems to be a symbol, a cross inscribed within a circle, possibly indicating a religious edifice. It is possible that sketches E and F are the opposite façades of this building, while sketch D is the back of the façade illustrated in sketch E.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. William Greenough
Accession Number:
1943-51-92
Restrictions & Rights:
CC0
See more items in:
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Collection
Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design Department
Data Source:
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kq4c86da8ee-53b8-441b-8aa7-288b9dcb4086
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:chndm_1943-51-92