Three Orchids, Acropera, Peristeria Elata, Cattleya Bicolor

William Jacob Hays

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

American Art

Title

Three Orchids, Acropera, Peristeria Elata, Cattleya Bicolor

Date

1869

Medium

Oil and graphite on canvas

Classification

Painting

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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