Stradanus Conserved Sheets

Conserved Sheets

Following a conservation survey of Cooper Hewitt’s Stradanus drawings, the team selected 38 sheets to undergo removal of their secondary and/or tertiary supports. An initial group of six sheets were treated by Becca Pollak at Cooper Hewitt and a subsequent group of 32 sheets were treated by Heather Hendry at the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia. Treatment revealed inscriptions and drawings on the versos (the reverse sides) that had previously been obscured by the linings for over 100 years.

High-resolution files of the images can be downloaded from links at the bottom of this page.

1901-39-115, recto Odysseus and the Cattle of the Sun God From the series The Odyssey ca.1600 Pen and brown ink, brush and wash over black chalk on laid paper 7.3 × 10.7 cm (2 7/8 × 4 3/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-115, verso 7.3 × 10.7 cm (2 7/8 × 4 3/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-119, recto The Marriage Feast at Cana From the series The Life of the Virgin (Beatae intactae semper Virginis Mariae Vita) Possible design for plate 13 1589 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and brown and black washes over black chalk on laid paper 7.1 × 10 cm (2 13/16 × 3 15/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-119, verso Inscription 1589 or before Pen and brown ink on laid paper 7.1 × 10 cm (2 13/16 × 3 15/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-120, recto Marriage of the Virgin [left]; Marriage Feast at Cana [right] From the series The Life of the Virgin (Beatae intactae semper Virginis Mariae Vita) [recto left and right] Design for plate 4 [recto, left] Design for plate 13 [recto, right] 1589 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.9 × 14.8 cm (4 5/16 × 5 13/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-120, verso The Naval Battle Against the Turks at Lepanto, 1571 From the series The War Against the Turks 1589 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.9 × 14.8 cm (4 5/16 × 5 13/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-125, recto Wildcat Hunt From the series Unpublished Hunts ca. 1599 Pen and brown ink over black chalk on laid paper 7.6 × 10.5 cm (3 × 4 1/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-125, verso Inscription ca. 1599 Pen and brown ink on laid paper 7.6 × 10.5 cm (3 × 4 1/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-139, recto Agony in the Garden ca. 1580–95 Pen and brown ink, brush and black wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.2 × 7.2 cm (4 × 2 13/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-139, verso 10.2 × 7.2 cm (4 × 2 13/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-140, recto The Martyrdom of Saint Barbara From the series The Martyrdom of Female Saints ca. 1580–94 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown and black washes over black chalk on laid paper 14.7 × 10.2 cm (5 13/16 × 4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-140, verso Sketch, Possibly of a Chapel Wall ca. 1585–87 Black chalk on laid paper 14.7 × 10.2 cm (5 13/16 × 4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-141, recto Homer From the series The Odyssey ca. 1600 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown and black washes over black chalk on laid paper 7.2 × 3.1 cm (2 13/16 × 1 1/4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-141, verso Partial Design for a Title Page ca. 1600 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown and black washes over black chalk on laid paper 7.2 × 3.1 cm (2 13/16 × 1 1/4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-145, recto Saint John the Baptist Preaching ca. 1585–87 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper 15.4 × 21.4 cm (6 1/16 × 8 7/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-145, verso Inscription ca. 1585–87 Pen and brown ink over black chalk on laid paper 15.4 × 21.4 cm (6 1/16 × 8 7/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-147, recto Annunciation [left]; Birth of the Virgin [right] From the Series The Life of the Virgin (Beatae intactae semper Virginis Mariae Vita) [left and right] Design for plate 5 [recto, left] Design for plate 2 [recto, right] 1589 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.5 × 14.8 cm (4 1/8 × 5 13/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-147, verso Annunciation [left]; The Visitation [right] From the Series The Life of the Virgin (Beatae intactae semper Virginis Mariae Vita) [left and right] Design for plate 6 [left] Design for plate 7 [right] 1589 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.5 × 14.8 cm (4 1/8 × 5 13/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-149, recto Title Page From the series New Inventions of Modern Times (Nova Reperta) ca. 1590 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and brown and black washes over black chalk on laid paper 7.1 × 10.7 cm (2 13/16 × 4 3/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-149, verso 7.1 × 10.7 cm (2 13/16 × 4 3/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-151-a, recto Deer Hunt with Hounds [above]; Skylark Hunt with Falcons [below] From the series Hunts of Wild Animals, Birds and Fish (Venationes ferarum, avium, piscium) [above and below] Design for plate later numbered 37 [above] Design for plate later numbered 71 [below] ca. 1596–99 Pen and brown and black inks, brush and black wash over black chalk on laid paper 14.3 × 10.5 cm (5 5/8 × 4 1/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-151-a, verso Untitled ca. 1596–99 Pen and brown ink on laid paper 14.3 × 10.5 cm (5 5/8 × 4 1/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-151-b, recto Goose and Duck Hunt with Falcons [above]; Goose Hunt [below] From the series Hunts of Wild Animals, Birds and Fish (Venationes ferarum, avium, piscium) [above and below] Design for plate later numbered 70 [above] Design for plate later numbered 66 [below] ca. 1596–99 Pen and brown ink, brush and black wash over black chalk on laid paper 14.3 × 10.3 cm (5 5/8 × 4 1/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-151-b, verso Sketch of an Archer ca. 1596–99 Pen and brown ink on paper 14.3 × 10.3 cm (5 5/8 × 4 1/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-153, recto Fight between Elephants and Snakes From the series Hunts of Wild Animals, Birds, and Fish (Venationes ferarum, avium, piscium) Design for plate 2 1596 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and black wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.4 × 14.1 cm (4 1/8 × 5 9/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-153, verso Inscription 1596 or before Pen and brown ink on laid paper 10.4 × 14.1 cm (4 1/8 × 5 9/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-156, recto Hunting Panthers Using Human Excrement From the series Hunts of Wild Animals, Birds, and Fish (Venationes ferarum, avium, piscium) Design for plate 8 1596 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and black wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.4 × 14 cm (4 1/8 × 5 1/2 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-156, verso Inscription 1596 or before Pen and brown ink on laid paper 10.4 × 14 cm (4 1/8 × 5 1/2 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-157, recto Cavemen Chasing Elephants From the series Hunts of Wild Animals, Birds, and Fish (Venationes ferarum, avium, piscium) Design for plate 3 1596 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and black wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.3 × 13.9 cm (4 1/16 × 5 1/2 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-157, verso Inscription 1596 or before Pen and brown ink on laid paper 10.3 × 13.9 cm (4 1/16 × 5 1/2 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-166, recto Hare Hunt with Falcons From the series Unpublished Hunts ca. 1599 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over black. chalk on laid paper 7.5 × 10.4 cm (2 15/16 × 4 1/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-166, verso Sketch of Hand and Wrist ca. 1580–1605 Pen and brown ink on laid paper 7.5 × 10.4 cm (2 15/16 × 4 1/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-292, recto The Charity of Saint Nicholas Pen and brown ink, brush and brown and black washes over black chalk on laid paper ca. 1585–88 10.3 × 7 cm (4 1/16 × 2 3/4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-292, verso Inscription ca. 1585–88 Pen and brown ink on laid paper 10.3 × 7 cm (4 1/16 × 2 3/4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-294, recto The Charity of Saint Nicholas ca. 1585–88 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown and black washes over black chalk on laid paper 10.4 × 8.2 cm (4 1/8 × 3 1/4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-294, verso Inscription ca. 1585–88 Pen and brown ink on laid paper 10.4 × 8.2 cm (4 1/8 × 3 1/4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-300, recto The Invention of the Stirrup (Staphae, sive stapedes) From the series New Inventions of Modern Times (Nova Reperta) Design for plate 9 ca. 1590 or before Pen and brown and black inks, brush and black wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.7 × 14.5 cm (4 3/16 × 5 11/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-300, verso Inscription ca. 1590 or before Pen and brown ink on laid paper 10.7 × 14.5 cm (4 3/16 × 5 11/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-306, recto Mars ca. 1580–1605 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown and black washes over black chalk, with corrections by the artist in white opaque paint on laid paper 9.9 × 7 cm (3 7/8 × 2 3/4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-306, verso 9.9 × 7 cm (3 7/8 × 2 3/4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2482, recto Alexander the Great watching a Fight between his Dog, an Elephant, and a Lion From the series Hunts of Wild Animals, Birds, and Fish (Venationes ferarum, avium, piscium) Design for plate 4 1596 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and black wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.3 × 13.8 cm (4 1/16 × 5 7/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2482, verso Inscription 1596 or before Pen and brown ink on laid paper 10.3 × 13.8 cm (4 1/16 × 5 7/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2501, recto Crocodile Hunt in Egypt From the series Hunts of Wild Animals, Birds, and Fish (Venationes ferarum, avium, piscium) Design for plate 30 1596 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and black washes over black chalk on laid paper 10.2 × 13.9 cm (4 × 5 1/2 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2501, verso Inscription 1596 or before Pen and brown ink on laid paper 10.2 × 13.9 cm (4 × 5 1/2 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2650, recto Zeuxis Painting Helen ca. 1580–1605 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, with traces of black chalk on laid paper 9.9 × 7.5 cm (3 7/8 × 2 15/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2650, verso 9.9 × 7.5 cm (3 7/8 × 2 15/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2654, recto Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well ca. 1580–1605 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash on laid paper 10.6 × 14.2 cm (4 3/16 × 5 9/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2654, verso Snake Hunt [above]; Judgment of Paris [below] From the series Hunts of Wild Animals, Birds, and Fish (Venationes ferarum, avium, piscium) Design for plate 18 [above] 1596 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.6 × 14.2 cm (4 3/16 × 5 9/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2658, recto Title page for a Series of Hunting Scenes [above]; Unexperienced Hunter Attacked by Snakes [below] From the series Hunts of Wild Animals, Birds, and Fish (Venationes ferarum, avium, piscium) [below] Design for plate later numbered 42 [below] Above, 1599 or before Below, ca. 1596–99 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown and black washes over black chalk, with corrections by the artist in white opaque paint on laid paper 14.2 × 10.3 cm (5 9/16 × 4 1/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2658, verso 14.2 × 10.3 cm (5 9/16 × 4 1/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2662, recto Triumph of Apollo and Aurora ca. 1585–90 Pen and brown and black inks, brush and brown and black washes over black chalk on laid paper 10.4 × 14.6 cm (4 1/8 × 5 3/4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2662, verso Inscription 1589 or before Pen and brown ink on laid paper 10.4 × 14.6 cm (4 1/8 × 5 3/4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2665, recto The Spirit of Wisdom (Spiritus Sapientiae) From the series The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit Design for plate 1 1595 or before Pen and brown and black inks, brush and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper 7.3 × 9.8 cm (2 7/8 × 3 7/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2665, verso Inscription 1595 or before Pen and brown ink on laid paper 7.3 × 9.8 cm (2 7/8 × 3 7/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2666, recto The Spirit of Science (Spiritus Scientiae) From the series The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit Design for plate 5 1595 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper 7.9 × 11.1 cm (3 1/8 × 4 3/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2666, verso Inscription 1595 or before Pen and brown ink on laid paper 7.9 × 11.1 cm (3 1/8 × 4 3/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2672, recto The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist ca. 1580–95 Pen and brown ink over black chalk on laid paper 10.2 × 6.9 cm (4 × 2 11/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2672, verso A Murderer Pleads for Saint Giovanni Gualberto’s Forgiveness ca. 1590–99 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash on laid paper 10.2 × 6.9 cm (4 × 2 11/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2674, recto Triumph of Neptune and Galatea ca. 1585–90 Pen and brown and black inks, brush and brown and black washes over black chalk on laid paper 10.6 × 14.6 cm (4 3/16 × 5 3/4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2674, verso Inscriptions Pen and brown ink on laid paper 10.6 × 14.6 cm (4 3/16 × 5 3/4 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2677, recto The Spirit of Fear of the Lord (Spiritus Timoris Domini) From the series The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit Design for plate 7 1595 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over black chalk on laid paper 6.2 × 10.6 cm (2 7/16 × 4 3/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2677, verso Inscription 1595 or before Pen and brown ink on laid paper 6.2 × 10.6 cm (2 7/16 × 4 3/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2678, recto Man Looking in a Mirror, Possibly Socrates Teaching Self-Knowledge ca. 1580–1605 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper 7.3 × 10.7 cm (2 7/8 × 4 3/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2678, verso Inscription ca. 1580–1605 Pen and brown ink on laid paper 7.3 × 10.7 cm (2 7/8 × 4 3/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-130, recto Erminia and the Shepherd [above]; Atalanta hunting the Calydonian Boar [below] ca. 1599 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper 14.7 × 10.5 cm (5 13/16 × 4 1/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-130, verso Ornament Designs, Study of a Bird’s Foot Pen and brown ink on laid paper 14.7 × 10.5 cm (5 13/16 × 4 1/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2656, recto Retreat of the Turks after the Siege of Vienna, 1529 From the series The War Against the Turks 1589 Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.4 × 14.3 cm (4 1/8 × 5 5/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

1901-39-2656, verso Inscription and Sketch, possibly a Battle Scene ca. 1580–1605 Pen and brown ink over black chalk on laid paper 10.4 × 14.3 cm (4 1/8 × 5 5/8 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors

Download High-Resolution Image Files

The following links, listed by object inventory accession number, provide access to the Smithsonian collection site from which high-resolution files can be downloaded by clicking the button below the image.

inv. 1901-39-115

inv. 1901-39-119

inv. 1901-39-120

inv. 1901-39-125

inv. 1901-39-130

inv. 1901-39-139

inv. 1901-39-140

inv. 1901-39-141

inv. 1901-39-145

inv. 1901-39-147

inv. 1901-39-151-a

inv. 1901-39-151-b

inv. 1901-39-153

inv. 1901-39-156

inv. 1901-39-157

inv. 1901-39-166

inv. 1901-39-292

inv. 1901-39-294

inv. 1901-39-300

inv. 1901-39-306

inv. 1901-39-2482

inv. 1901-39-2501

inv. 1901-39-2650

inv. 1901-39-2654

inv. 1901-39-2656

inv. 1901-39-2658

inv. 1901-39-2659

inv. 1901-39-2662

inv. 1901-39-2665

inv. 1901-39-2666

inv. 1901-39-2674

inv. 1901-39-2677

inv. 1901-39-2678

inv. 1901-39-149v

inv. 1901-39-2655

inv. 1901-39-2670

inv. 1901-39-2671

inv. 1901-39-2672

inv. 1901-39-2679

The Stradanus Project is made possible with support from Getty through The Paper Project initiative; and received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Featured Image: 1901-39-2482, recto Alexander the Great watching a Fight between his Dog, an Elephant, and a Lion From the series Hunts of Wild Animals, Birds, and Fish (Venationes ferarum, avium, piscium) Design for plate 4 1596 or before Pen and brown ink, brush and black wash over black chalk on laid paper 10.3 × 13.8 cm (4 1/16 × 5 7/16 in.) Museum purchase through gift of various donors