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Object Timeline

1917

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2024

2025

  • You found it!

Drawing, Passing Shower and Rainbow

This is a Drawing. It was created by Frederic Edwin Church. It is dated probably 1853 and we acquired it in 1917. Its medium is graphite on brown 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

10.2 × 19.7 cm (4 × 7 3/4 in.)

It has the following markings

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

It is inscribed

Inscribed in graphite, upper right: 1 Green / 2 - Yellow / 3 - Orange / 4 Red / 5 - Purple / 6 - blue; center left: Every object visible through the rainbow; center: 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 6 / 6; center right: 3 2 5 / This effect was peculiar, / wonderful and glorious; lower center: At 2 - wonderful intensity of light gradually fading - / general effect not like a rainbow being more like a burst / of splendid fires - and bearing a resemblance to the Aurora Borealis / in the peculiar radiations - explained by the steaks of rain / The blue and green (as well as the other colors) were intense

Cite this object as

Drawing, Passing Shower and Rainbow; Frederic Edwin Church (American, 1826–1900); USA; graphite on brown wove paper; 10.2 × 19.7 cm (4 × 7 3/4 in.); Gift of Louis P. Church; 1917-4-22

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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/18195911/ |title=Drawing, Passing Shower and Rainbow |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=4 October 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>