Art

The National Museum of American History is not an art museum. But works of art fill its collections and testify to the vital place of art in everyday American life. The ceramics collections hold hundreds of examples of American and European art glass and pottery. Fashion sketches, illustrations, and prints are part of the costume collections. Donations from ethnic and cultural communities include many homemade religious ornaments, paintings, and figures. The Harry T Peters "America on Stone" collection alone comprises some 1,700 color prints of scenes from the 1800s. The National Quilt Collection is art on fabric. And the tools of artists and artisans are part of the Museum's collections, too, in the form of printing plates, woodblock tools, photographic equipment, and potters' stamps, kilns, and wheels.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1880
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
original artist
Dore, Gustave
graphic artist
Ferris, Jean Leon Gerome
ID Number
GA.14426.02
accession number
94830
catalog number
14426.02
Stephen Ferris’s watercolor view Justicia, Granada shows the Alhambra’s Gate of Justice (Puerta de la Justicia) painted during the artist’s 1881 visit to Spain. In a letter to Sylvester R.
Description
Stephen Ferris’s watercolor view Justicia, Granada shows the Alhambra’s Gate of Justice (Puerta de la Justicia) painted during the artist’s 1881 visit to Spain. In a letter to Sylvester R. Koehler, later Curator of Graphic Arts at the Smithsonian, Ferris, deeply moved by his experiences, observed: “‘See the Alhambra and die’ seems a very appropriate expression. I feel it and have more reverence for the Arabs [sic] art than any other school.”
Today the Gate of Justice is the main entrance to the Alhambra complex, which was completed by the Moors in the fourteenth century. The Spanish, who defeated the Moors in 1492, made later additions.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14548
catalog number
14548
accession number
94830
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1880
graphic artist
Ferris, Jean Leon Gerome
original artist
Dore, Gustave
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14426
accession number
94830
catalog number
14426
Ferris painted the watercolor and graphite view of an unidentified building in Seville during his 1881 visit to southern Spain.
Description (Brief)
Ferris painted the watercolor and graphite view of an unidentified building in Seville during his 1881 visit to southern Spain. In an enthusiastic letter to an acquaintance, Ferris described Seville: “what a picturesque city for artists every window a decoration of flowers and the people so picturesque painting cannot describe it.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14551
catalog number
14551
accession number
94830
Stephen Ferris made this pencil sketch of a distinguished, pensive older man he called the “Curator of the Alhambra” during his two-month stay in Granada, Spain, in 1881.
Description
Stephen Ferris made this pencil sketch of a distinguished, pensive older man he called the “Curator of the Alhambra” during his two-month stay in Granada, Spain, in 1881. A watercolor in the NMAH Ferris Collection of an almost identical gentleman is identified as the “Keeper of the Tore de la Vela,” the watchtower of the fortified citadel in the Alhambra complex. While Ferris, a portrait artist, was exploring the wonders of the Alhambra, he was also busy sketching people he met.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
original artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.16683
accession number
119780
catalog number
GA*16683
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1881
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14404.01
accession number
94830
catalog number
14404.01
The signed watercolor of a cactus was made during Stephen Ferris’s visit to southern Spain in 1881 with his son, Gerome. Ferris drew another extravagant growth of cactus on a gypsy cave dwelling in the Granada area.
Description (Brief)
The signed watercolor of a cactus was made during Stephen Ferris’s visit to southern Spain in 1881 with his son, Gerome. Ferris drew another extravagant growth of cactus on a gypsy cave dwelling in the Granada area. See GA*14541.
Verso: There is a rough sketch of two reddish towers under an expansive sky on the verso. Although not identified, the quickly painted rectangular towers were probably part of the Alhambra complex in Granada where the cactus on the recto was painted..
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14550
catalog number
14550
accession number
94830
While in Granada, Spain in 1881, Stephen Ferris made the watercolor and pencil drawing of the Casa de Mariano.
Description (Brief)
While in Granada, Spain in 1881, Stephen Ferris made the watercolor and pencil drawing of the Casa de Mariano. He based his print Casa de Mariano (see GA*14404.03) on the drawing, but added details to the print like a donkey poking its head through the window and a woman spinning in the doorway of the cave.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14541
catalog number
14541
accession number
94830
Unsigned watercolor made in Granada, Spain, where Ferris visited with his son Gerome in 1881. A wrought-iron device similar to a crown appears above the well.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Unsigned watercolor made in Granada, Spain, where Ferris visited with his son Gerome in 1881. A wrought-iron device similar to a crown appears above the well.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14549
catalog number
14549
accession number
94830
Stephen Ferris etched Home of Mariano, Gypsy King in Granada, Spain, during his 1881 visit to sites associated with Mariano Fortuny, a Spanish artist he deeply admired. In a letter from Granada to art editor Sylvester R.
Description
Stephen Ferris etched Home of Mariano, Gypsy King in Granada, Spain, during his 1881 visit to sites associated with Mariano Fortuny, a Spanish artist he deeply admired. In a letter from Granada to art editor Sylvester R. Koehler, Ferris told of his fascination with gypsy cave dwellings. He described them as “most picturesque and weird, overgrown with vines, cactus, and aloes . . . . I have made several drawings of Gitanos [gypsy] caves and of one especially a favorite model of Fortunys [sic] a Gitano prince in splendid costume. We bought his dress and I intend to paint and etch my picture when I get time.” Ferris etched the gypsy’s portrait in costume separately and included it, slightly altered, on the right in this print showing the family and animals assembled in front of their cave. Ferris noted in pencil on the print that it was etched directly from life.
Gypsies or gitanos still live in caves in the Sacromonte(Holy Mountain) area of Granada. Today the number of cave dwellers has dwindled, but the area remains famous for flamenco singing and dancing.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1881
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14404.03
accession number
94830
catalog number
14404.03
While in Gibraltar in 1881, Stephen Ferris made this signed and dated watercolor.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
While in Gibraltar in 1881, Stephen Ferris made this signed and dated watercolor.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14543
catalog number
14543
accession number
94830
Although this watercolor and pencil drawing is unsigned, it closely resembles others signed by Stephen Ferris. For similar subject matter see Alhambra Hall of the Ambassadors, GA*14544.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Although this watercolor and pencil drawing is unsigned, it closely resembles others signed by Stephen Ferris. For similar subject matter see Alhambra Hall of the Ambassadors, GA*14544.
Location
Currently not on view
possible date made
ca 1881
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14539
catalog number
14539
accession number
94830
While traveling in southern Spain in the summer of 1881, Stephen Ferris drew Seville’s Torre del Oro or Golden Tower in ink. The two lower sections of the tower were built by the Moors in the thirteenth century and the top section added by the Spanish in the eighteenth.
Description (Brief)
While traveling in southern Spain in the summer of 1881, Stephen Ferris drew Seville’s Torre del Oro or Golden Tower in ink. The two lower sections of the tower were built by the Moors in the thirteenth century and the top section added by the Spanish in the eighteenth. Ferris, who was interested in Moorish architecture, merely recorded the outline of the top section in dots.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14537
catalog number
14537
accession number
94830
An unsigned exterior view of the Hall of the Ambassadors in the Alhambra complex of Granada, Spain. In another watercolor, the view serves as a frame for a story in the making. See GA*14539.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
An unsigned exterior view of the Hall of the Ambassadors in the Alhambra complex of Granada, Spain. In another watercolor, the view serves as a frame for a story in the making. See GA*14539.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14544
catalog number
14544
accession number
94830
Colored print of a bearded Columbus wearing a long purple cape and kneeling before king and queen who stand on a throne. Behind Columbus are three Indians bearing gifts. Also in the room are soldiers, courtiers, monks and scholars observing the proceedings.
Description (Brief)
Colored print of a bearded Columbus wearing a long purple cape and kneeling before king and queen who stand on a throne. Behind Columbus are three Indians bearing gifts. Also in the room are soldiers, courtiers, monks and scholars observing the proceedings. The setting is a Gothic style audience room decorated with statues. Proof before letters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
depicted
Columbus, Christopher
Isabella I Queen of Spain
Ferdinand V King of Spain
maker
Schile, Henry
ID Number
DL.60.2474
catalog number
60.2474
accession number
228146
Plate 22 of "Los Caprichos"Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Plate 22 of "Los Caprichos"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1790
graphic artist
Goya, Francisco
ID Number
GA.19953
catalog number
19953
accession number
179418
Stephen Ferris remarked in an 1881 letter from southern Spain, “when arrived at Gib[ralter] we [Ferris and his son Gerome] were delighted with the Tangiers market people Arab merchants. . .
Description (Brief)
Stephen Ferris remarked in an 1881 letter from southern Spain, “when arrived at Gib[ralter] we [Ferris and his son Gerome] were delighted with the Tangiers market people Arab merchants. . . .” Perhaps these rapidly caught, varied individuals in ink, pencil and watercolor on this signed sheet are from the streets of Gibraltar.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
original artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14538
catalog number
14538
accession number
94830
Stephen Ferris sketched and painted this pencil and watercolor view of buildings in the Alhambra complex of Granada, Spain, in 1881. This is not a finished view but a work in progress.
Description
Stephen Ferris sketched and painted this pencil and watercolor view of buildings in the Alhambra complex of Granada, Spain, in 1881. This is not a finished view but a work in progress. The people rendered in pencil outline have not been colored, and there are many second thoughts like the tree at left, which has been enlarged. While in Granada, Ferris wrote a friend that he and his son were busy making sketches “much in memorandum for future use in pictures.” So captivated were they by the city that they spent more than half their Spanish visit there.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1881
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14545
catalog number
14545
accession number
94830
Stephen Ferris identified this unsigned watercolor as the House of Pilate (Casa de Pilatos) in Seville, Spain. The palace was built in the sixteenth century and today is the official residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Stephen Ferris identified this unsigned watercolor as the House of Pilate (Casa de Pilatos) in Seville, Spain. The palace was built in the sixteenth century and today is the official residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
ID Number
GA.14542
catalog number
14542
accession number
94830
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1830
ID Number
CL.219161
catalog number
219161
219161
accession number
40071
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1815-1835
ID Number
CL.219167
accession number
40071
catalog number
219167
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1826-1855
ID Number
CL.219162
accession number
40071
catalog number
219162
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1870-1879
artist
Frequis, Pedro Antonio
maker
Frequis, Pedro Antonio
ID Number
CL.176399
catalog number
176399
accession number
31785
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.59168-N
catalog number
59168-N
accession number
253617

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