Objects
Objects in Art: The Things Painters Loved to Paint
A goblet, a letter, a musical instrument, a single ripe lemon — the objects in a painting are never random. They carry status, story, and symbolism. This gallery zooms into the things that fill the collection’s tables, shelves, and hands. Click any detail to see the full work.
24 details · cropped from original museum images
Entire cigarette card
W. Duke, Sons & Co. · Card Number 35, Daisy Temple, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Entire Brougham carriage
Brewster & Co. · Brougham #3606
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
overall portrait miniature
George Engleheart · Portrait of a Man
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
open book page
Federico de Vinciolo · Les Singuliers et Nouveaux Portraicts... page 63 (recto)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
overall view of the wooden desk
Charles Hindley and Sons · Design for Wooden Desk
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
open astronomical book
Johannes Regiomontanus · Calendar
Art Institute of Chicago
decorated circular box
Swiss Painter · Portrait of a Woman
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
overall portrait pendant
Continental Painter · Portrait of a Child
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
circular box with portrait
F. Carbonara · Portrait of a Woman
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
blue rowing boat
Arthur Wesley Dow (American, 1857–1922) · Boats at Rest
Art Institute of Chicago
overall portrait miniature
Franz Napoleon Heigel · Henriette Sontag (1806–1854)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
sturdy wooden bed
Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853–1890) · The Bedroom
Art Institute of Chicago
portrait locket pendant
Hans Holbein the Younger · Thomas Wriothesley (1505–1550), First Earl of Southampton
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
entire cigarette card
Allen & Ginter · Card 772, Louise Paullin, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 7) for Dixie Cigarettes
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
glowing star-shaped lantern
Rembrandt van Rijn · The Star of the Kings: A Night Piece
Art Institute of Chicago
Hull of the Great Eastern
Robert Charles Dudley · Grappling for the Lost Cable
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
large central sailing boat
Salomon van Ruysdael · Fishing Boats on a River
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
decorative medallion with portrait
Jean Petitot · Portrait of a Woman
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
large wooden tankard
Paul Gauguin (French, 1848–1903) · Still Life: Wood Tankard and Metal Pitcher
Art Institute of Chicago
overall wooden portrait panel
Egyptian; The Fayum, Egypt · Portrait of a Man Wearing a Laurel Wreath
Art Institute of Chicago
central latticed window
Vilhelm Hammershøi · Moonlight, Strandgade 30
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
One Dollar Silver Certificate
Victor Dubreuil · One Dollar Silver Certificate
Art Institute of Chicago
old shoe on the left
Vincent van Gogh · Shoes
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
overall portrait panel
Egyptian; The Fayum, Egypt · Portrait of a Man Wearing an Ivy Wreath
Art Institute of Chicago
Go deeper
Closer looks and hidden meanings within objects.
