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Collections

Arthur Nahl
Sketchbook of Drawings and Watercolorsno date

Not on view
Drawing in graphite and ink on sand-colored paper of two California quail, a larger male with bold black-and-white face markings and curving topknot plume, and a smaller, plainer female beside him
Watercolor and pencil study of a polar bear lying down, head resting on its forepaws, rendered in cream and pale tan tones against a warm beige ground, with fine hatching to suggest dense fur.
Watercolor and graphite study of a wolf in full profile, facing left with mouth slightly open, rendered in gray tones with darker shading along the back and tail, fine hatched strokes depicting fur texture, against a plain cream ground.
Watercolor natural history study of two seals against a plain cream ground: a full-body side view of a spotted gray seal in the upper left, and a detailed head study of a younger, rounder-faced seal in the lower right.
Watercolor study of a wolf or coyote in profile, walking left, with detailed fur rendering in tones of gray, tan, and cream against a pale background.
Watercolor study of two gazelles on a cream ground: a full-grown animal stands in profile at right, while a smaller young gazelle reclines with legs folded at lower left, both rendered with delicate shading in tawny and pale tones.
Watercolor study of a small mammal in profile, dark brown with a yellowish throat patch, long bushy tail, rendered with fine brushwork on a pale cream ground.
Watercolor study of a pronghorn antelope standing in three-quarter view against a plain cream background, with tan and white coloring, short forked horns, and fine naturalistic detail in the coat and hooves.
Watercolor or gouache study on torn, aged paper showing five hummingbirds arranged across the sheet, each depicted in profile or three-quarter view with detailed plumage; birds rendered in iridescent greens, with one displaying a blue plume crest, another with orange-pink throat, and a larger crested specimen at center with spread tail feathers.
Pencil or chalk drawing on aged paper of a light-colored horse in profile, standing and facing right, wearing a bridle, with detailed shading on musculature and dark hooves casting a shadow below.
Watercolor study of a white bull with brown spots, shown in full profile facing left against a pale blue-grey sky and sandy ground, with delicate washes and subtle shading.
Pen and ink drawing of an interior scene with two figures: an armored warrior in a plumed helmet leaning over a reclining figure on draped fabric, sword at his side. A third figure reclines at left near a column. Classical relief panel and heavy drapery in background; checkered floor with a lion-head fountain at lower right. Dense crosshatched linework throughout.
Pen and ink drawing with gray wash, outdoor night scene with several figures gathered around a glowing lantern on a raised terrace, flanked by decorative urns; rooftops and trees visible in the background.
Watercolor and pencil sketch of a tiger's head in three-quarter profile on lined paper, with orange-brown fur, dark stripes, and a yellow eye; loosely finished with visible pencil underdrawing.
Watercolor study of an otter in profile, facing left with body low and elongated, showing dark brown fur with pale cream underside and long tapering tail, rendered with fine detail against a warm beige ground.
Watercolor study of two macaws facing each other: a red and blue scarlet macaw perched on a wooden stand with a gold chain at left, and a purple-blue hyacinth macaw perched on a branch at right, on cream paper.
Watercolor illustration of two parrots on a cream background: a green amazon parrot perched on a chained wooden rod at left, and a blue-and-yellow macaw with long tail feathers perched at right, both rendered with fine detail.
Watercolor illustration of two large birds of prey on a yellowed page: at left, a black condor with white ruff and orange head crest; at right, a brown eagle with pale head. Printed labels in German script below each bird.
Watercolor natural history illustration of three parrots on a cream background: a white cockatoo with yellow crest perched on a rod at left, a black cockatoo with raised crest and spread wings on a rock at center, and a gray parrot with red tail on a rock at right. German and Latin labels in ink below each bird.
Watercolor and pencil drawing of a yellow-and-black bird perched on a branch, with a lightly sketched barn in the background at right. The bird has a golden-orange head and yellow underparts with dark wings, rendered in careful detail against a pale ground.
Ink and wash landscape drawing of a rocky mountain gorge framed by tall trees, with a small horse-drawn carriage and figures on a path in the middle distance, pale cliffs rising in the background.
Graphite drawing of a woman reclining on a pillow, wearing a flat cap, embroidered blouse, dark skirt, and bead necklace, rendered with fine hatching on cream paper.
Pencil and wash study sheet with four botanical sketches: two rounded trees at top, a large spreading shrub in the middle, and a leafy branch with lobed leaves at bottom, rendered in soft gray tones with hatched shading.
Pencil or ink drawing of a leafy branch extending diagonally across aged cream paper, with smaller offshoots bearing serrated leaves rendered in fine hatching.
Pencil drawing of a large spreading tree with gnarled branches arching to the left, rendered with hatched shading on cream paper; two small figures and low structures sketched in the background at right.
Pencil and wash drawing of a gnarled tree with a thick trunk and sweeping, twisted branches extending outward, foliage rendered in soft gray washes on cream paper.
Pencil drawing of an interior room with three figures: one seated at an easel painting, one reading in a chair at left, and one at an upright piano at right. A draped table with stacked books occupies the center foreground, with arched windows, framed artwork, and a reclining chair visible. Handwritten inscription in upper right corner.
Pencil and wash drawing of a lattice-enclosed veranda interior, with a woman in a rocking chair holding needlework, a small child standing behind her, and two children seated in chairs at right; potted plants line the latticed windows, and a table stands in the background.
Graphite and wash drawing of four adults gathered around a table in a rustic interior, examining a document by candlelight; a figure seen from behind sits opposite an elderly couple and a younger woman. Two children stand at right, a dog rests on the floor in the foreground, and pottery lines a shelf above a fireplace.
Ink and wash compositional sketch of six figures seated around a draped table in an interior, rendered with loose, gestural line work and gray wash shading; scattered objects visible on the floor in the foreground.
Graphite and wash drawing on paper, two compositional studies stacked vertically. Lower study shows a group of figures seated around a table beneath a hanging lamp, rendered in loose, gestural strokes with gray wash shadows. Upper study depicts standing figures in a crowded interior, more roughly sketched. Scattered objects on the floor in both scenes.
Red chalk drawing of a single human foot viewed from a three-quarter angle, toes curled slightly downward, with hatched shading defining the ankle and sole against a lightly textured background.
Chalk drawing on tan paper, detailed study of a hand gripping a flat rectangular object, rendered with hatching and white chalk highlights to model volume and shadow.
Watercolor landscape with a calm river flanked by tall olive-green trees, a small boat with figures at left, and a wooden sluice gate at right; cursive inscriptions in French across the top and bottom margins.
Pen, ink, and watercolor landscape with tall trees in olive and golden tones dominating the center and left, a church steeple visible through the foliage at left, and an open river vista extending to the right under a pale cloudy sky.
Watercolor landscape with pen and ink inscription along the left margin; two figures in classical dress stand beside large rocks near a stream, with stone buildings including a round tower at center, dense trees, and blue mountains receding into the distance.
Pen, ink, and watercolor landscape with classical ruins at left, a gnarled tree at center, and small figures grouped on rocky terrain at right, with a distant lake and mountain under a cloudy sky; handwritten French inscriptions along top and bottom margins.
Watercolor landscape of dense, spreading trees with light green foliage rendered in loose brushwork; two small figures in 19th-century dress seated beneath the canopy at center-right.
Watercolor botanical study of a plant branch with long, dark green lance-shaped leaves and three small green oval fruits clustered at right; faint handwritten inscription in lower left corner.
Watercolor botanical study of a conifer branch, showing dense green needle clusters on the left and tan-to-amber elongated pollen cones clustered on the right, rendered with fine, precise brushwork on a cream ground.
Pencil sketch of a bearded man in profile, seated and painting at an easel, holding a palette in one hand and a brush raised toward the canvas in the other, rendered in light, fine linework.
Pencil sketch, bust-length portrait of a woman with upswept hair, gaze downward, wearing a dark bodice with an elaborate lace jabot and brooch at the collar, rendered with light hatching on aged paper.
Pencil sketch portrait of a young man in profile, seated at an easel holding a brush and palette, wearing a jacket with a boutonniere, rendered in fine graphite lines on cream paper.
Pencil drawing, three-quarter length portrait of a woman facing forward, wearing a high-necked blouse with elaborate lace jabot and cuffs, arms crossed, rendered in fine delicate lines on cream paper.
Pencil drawing, bust-length portrait of a man with powdered curled hair and a white cravat, rendered in fine graphite lines on cream paper; cursive inscription in lower right reads "Virgil T. Nahl Age 9 years"
Pencil or ink drawing on aged paper, close-up study of a lace cravat or fichu gathered at the center with a decorative brooch, showing detailed floral lace patterns and cross-hatched shading against a suggested neckline and shoulders.
Pencil sketch of a woman in profile, wearing a long coat, ruffled skirt, and decorated hat, holding an open parasol above her head.
Pencil drawing study sheet with two sketches: a three-quarter-length figure of a woman in late 19th-century fitted bodice and full skirt, one hand raised with index finger pointing upward, and a separate close-up face study in the upper right corner.
Pencil sketch on cream paper, detail study of a fringed shawl draped across a figure's shoulders and chest, with hatched shading and lightly sketched neckline above.
Artist or Maker
Arthur Nahl
Artist or Maker
Charles Christian Nahl
Artist or Maker
Hugo William Nahl
Artist or Maker
John Wilhelm Nahl
Artist or Maker
J. H. Nahl
Artist or Maker
John Augustus Nahl
Artist or Maker
Virgil Nahl
Title
Sketchbook of Drawings and Watercolors
Place Made
Germany
Date Made
no date
Medium
Various media
Dimensions
Various dimensions
Credit Line
Gift of Sandra and Jacob Terner
Accession Number
M.79.231.1-.51
Classification
Drawings
Collecting Area
Prints and Drawings