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Object Timeline

-0001	We photographed this object.
1931	We acquired this object.
1991	We exhibited this object.
2012	We photographed this object.
2014	We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Overdoor (France)

This is a overdoor. It is dated 1800–1810 and we acquired it in 1931. Its medium is block-printed on handmade paper. It is a part of the Wallcoverings department.

This firescreen or overdoor panel in the neoclassical style illustrates the Triumph of Venus, showing Venus, the Roman goddess of love and fertility, seated in a shell chariot being pulled to land by two dolphins. She is wearing a crown of myrtle and holding a bouquet of cattails. Her son, Cupid, heralds her approach with a horn. Many of these attributes appear in the famous Botticelli painting, The Birth of Venus (ca. 1485).
The panel is printed to simulate a sculpture or cameo carved in marble or ivory, with tan, ocher, and orange highlights. The orange pops against the blue background and makes the moldings, costumes, and dolphin details appear as gold reflecting the sun.
These panels were frequently used for two very different purposes. One use was as a firescreen or fireboard; the paper would be mounted onto a vertical framework and placed inside the hearth in the summer months to fill the dark void with an ornamented panel. The panels were also used to fill the void over doors, helping carry the wall treatment up to the ceiling.

This object was donated by Eleanor Garnier Hewitt and Sarah Cooper Hewitt. It is credited Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.

Drawing, Alexander the Great and Diogenes

Drawing, Alexander the Great and Diogenes
pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, graphite on thick white laid paper .
Museum purchase through gift of various donors.
1901-39-3346

Drawing, Designs for Three Chairs
brush and watercolor, pen and black ink, graphite on white laid paper.
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council.
1921-6-136

A green handmade paper wall covering with a repeating arabesque pattern in a double column format. The pattern is formed of a dark cream classical robed figure, with long curly hair. possibly a Priestess of Venus, pouring libations from a pitcher in the left hand, and holding a crown of red flowers and a crown of green leaves in the right hand. The figure stands under an arched bower of red flowers supported by right facing flying doves and a conical wire structure with two crowns of red flowers suspended on a pair of crossed arrows. The figure is surrounded by two gold upside down conical structures, the one on the left has a pair of doves perched on top, the one on the right three large feathers or leaves on top. The figure stands on a red and gold lambrequin extending down to a basket of red flowers and is surrounded by gold scrolls with leaves, red and lemon floral swags, pearl beaded swags and large red and lemon floral bouquets.

Sidewall (France)
block printed on handmade paper.
Gift of Mrs. Charles S. Fairchild.
1900-5-3

Our curators have highlighted 8 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

This furniture mount is intricately casted with its repeated lines comprising swirling clouds and delicate features of the figure and chariot. The winged figure sits reclined with fabric draping around an outstretched arm. Their feathered wings extend behind, and their languid posture is emphasized by one leg up and bent, other straight out at the end of the chariot.The chariot itself has a wheel and ornamentation like a frieze along the sides, with three lines of metal representing ropes pulling it along. At the end of the rope are two stylized insects with thin legs, elongated bodies, and intricate geometric designs on their extended, mid-flight wings.

Mount (France)
gilt bronze.
Gift of Jacob H. Schiff.
1904-20-10

Fire Screen
label: hand-colored, engraved paper leaf; wooden stick.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1924-15-212

Drawing, Cartoon for Cotton Printing: Les Quatre Elements

Drawing, Cartoon for Cotton Printing: Les Quatre Elements
pen and black ink, brush and gray wash on laid paper.
Gift of Bridget Mahon.
1898-21-10-b

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 64 x 99 cm (25 3/16 x 39 in.)

Cite this object as

Overdoor (France); block-printed on handmade paper; H x W x D: 64 x 99 cm (25 3/16 x 39 in.); Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt; 1931-45-76

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibitions Hewitt Sisters Collect and The Cooper-Hewitt Collections: A Design Resource.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2BTHP/
Accession Number 1931-45-76
Object ID 18319405