Metal Cover (to a Downspout?), Hopital St. Louis 1875 - 1885

This pencil sketch by Richardson Ellson & Co. is a preliminary design for a metal cover for a downspout at the Hopital St. Louis in Paris. The drawing, likely made between 1875 and 1885, highlights the intricate details of the proposed cover, with its ornate scrolls and brackets. The "Plate - 45-" handwritten on the top of the sheet suggests this is a design proposal for a specific part of the building's facade. This drawing, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the collaborative process of architectural design in the 19th century.