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Object Timeline

1917

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2018

2025

  • You found it!

Drawing, El Altar from Riobamba, Ecuador

This is a Drawing. It was created by Frederic Edwin Church. It is dated July 13, 1857 and we acquired it in 1917. Its medium is graphite, brush and white gouache on tan 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

33.9 × 54.4 cm (13 3/8 × 21 7/16 in.)

It has the following markings

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

It is inscribed

Inscribed in graphite, center left: 2; lower center: El Altar - upper part tipped with fire / 2 - Cloud same color / Sky neutral warm running into green blue dull / Mountains below peculiar olive cool and touched with green somewhat luminous - below cool rich greens and dark forests / El Altar July 13th 57 - Riobamba

Cite this object as

Drawing, El Altar from Riobamba, Ecuador; Frederic Edwin Church (American, 1826–1900); USA; graphite, brush and white gouache on tan wove paper; 33.9 × 54.4 cm (13 3/8 × 21 7/16 in.); Gift of Louis P. Church; 1917-4-253

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/18196155/ |title=Drawing, El Altar from Riobamba, Ecuador |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=14 November 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>