Three Orchids, Acropera, Peristeria Elata, Cattleya Bicolor

Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
Hays made regular sketching excursions to the American forests and frontier, but he did not have to travel far to find the exotic specimens depicted here since orchids were cultivated in greenhouses in his hometown, New York City. The artist began with pencil drawings—still visible in some areas—and then completed the plant forms in oil paint. These studies were among many he made in preparation for his large, highly detailed painting Bouquet of Orchids, 1871 (Private collection).
Caption
William Jacob Hays (American, 1830–1875). Three Orchids, Acropera, Peristeria Elata, Cattleya Bicolor, 1869. Oil and graphite on canvas, 14 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. (36.8 x 21.6 cm) Frame: 15 1/4 x 8 3/4 in. (38.7 x 22.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard L. Milberg, 85.121.2. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
Three Orchids, Acropera, Peristeria Elata, Cattleya Bicolor
Date
1869
Medium
Oil and graphite on canvas
Classification
Dimensions
14 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. (36.8 x 21.6 cm) Frame: 15 1/4 x 8 3/4 in. (38.7 x 22.2 cm)
Inscriptions
Inscribed upper right: "Acropera; Inscribed right center: Aug 31. / 1869"; Inscribed bottom left : "Sep. 8. / 69"
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard L. Milberg
Accession Number
85.121.2
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