Preparatory Drawing for an Illustration of a Seventeenth-Century Dutch Tankard from the Demidov Collection 1879

This preparatory drawing by C. Prosdocimi, created in 1879, is a detailed depiction of a 17th-century Dutch tankard. The drawing, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases the intricate details of the silver tankard, including its ornate lid adorned with a lion finial and the elaborate carvings on the body, featuring hunting scenes. The drawing is a testament to the artist’s keen eye for detail and his ability to capture the essence of the object’s craftsmanship. The drawing’s inscription, "Viderocme à anse et couvercle en argent doré et ouvré forme cylindrique Travail hollandais (collection, Demidov)," provides valuable context, highlighting the tankard’s Dutch origin and its presence in the Demidov Collection.