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Object Timeline

1917

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2024

2025

  • You found it!

Drawing, Sketches of a Backlit Cloud, Steamship, and Sailboat

This is a Drawing. It was created by Frederic Edwin Church. It is dated 1865–75 and we acquired it in 1917. Its medium is graphite on gray 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

11.5 × 19.6 cm (4 1/2 × 7 11/16 in.)

It has the following markings

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

It is inscribed

Inscribed in graphite, upper left: 3 3 3 / 2 / 4; center left: 2 - smoky neut halo dark- / 3 - shadows / 4 - Dark purple of cloud / with dazzling golden edge

Cite this object as

Drawing, Sketches of a Backlit Cloud, Steamship, and Sailboat; Frederic Edwin Church (American, 1826–1900); USA; graphite on gray wove paper; 11.5 × 19.6 cm (4 1/2 × 7 11/16 in.); Gift of Louis P. Church; 1917-4-1177

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-3.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18192317/ |title=Drawing, Sketches of a Backlit Cloud, Steamship, and Sailboat |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=16 August 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>