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Object Timeline

1917

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2024

2025

  • You found it!

Drawing, Sketch of the Sky

This is a Drawing. It was created by Frederic Edwin Church. It is dated 1860–75 and we acquired it in 1917. Its medium is graphite on off-white wove paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

This object was donated by Louis P. Church. It is credited Gift of Louis P. Church.

Its dimensions are

8.8 × 15.5 cm (3 7/16 × 6 1/8 in.)

It has the following markings

Stamped in black ink, verso lower center: L.457d

It is inscribed

Inscribed in graphite, upper left: 2. Dark shadows yellow, gold light / 3 - do do reddish & orange lights / Enclosed in dots, rich glow / 4 - splendid saffron green - smoky and yet luminous / sky waxes cool above 2-; center: 3 / 2 / 2 / 4

Cite this object as

Drawing, Sketch of the Sky; Frederic Edwin Church (American, 1826–1900); USA; graphite on off-white wove paper; 8.8 × 15.5 cm (3 7/16 × 6 1/8 in.); Gift of Louis P. Church; 1917-4-1283-a

This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-5.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18193365/ |title=Drawing, Sketch of the Sky |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=18 August 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>