Minneapolis Museum c. 1930 - 1931

This watercolor design by William Channing Whitney (1851–1945) is a preliminary sketch for a section of the ceiling and cornice of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The design utilizes a repeating pattern of squares and octagons with a colorful palette of teal, red, gold, and blue, hinting at the ornate and intricate details planned for the museum's architecture. The inclusion of a partial capital suggests a grand interior space with classic ornamentation.