Two Keys 1850 - 1900

"Two Keys" is an anonymous drawing from the 19th century, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The drawing depicts two keys, rendered in graphite on paper, showcasing intricate details of each key's design. The left key features a large, ornate bow with a delicate, decorative pattern, while the right key has a simpler, geometric bow. The artist captured the keys with meticulous detail, highlighting their craftsmanship and emphasizing their symbolic power as objects of access and security. The drawing exemplifies the 19th-century interest in the beauty of everyday objects and the artistry inherent in even the most functional of items.