Two Orchids, Brassia Lanceana, Cattleya Labiata
        
      
              
                                
 William Jacob Hays
                  
      
              
                    
American Art
        
      
      
              
          Hays made regular sketching excursions to the American forests and frontier, but he did not have to travel far to find the exotic specimens depicted here since orchids were cultivated in greenhouses in his hometown, New York City. The artist began with pencil drawings—still visible in some areas—and then completed the plant forms in oil paint. These studies were among many he made in preparation for his large, highly detailed painting Bouquet of Orchids, 1871 (Private collection).
        
                  
              
      
              
      
              
          MEDIUM
          Oil and graphite on canvas        
      
      
              
          DATES
          1869        
      
      
      
              
          DIMENSIONS
          12 3/8 x 7 5/8 in. (31.4 x 19.4 cm)
Framed: 13 x 8 1/4 in. (33 x 21 cm)          	
 (show scale)
	
         
      
      
      
              
          INSCRIPTIONS
          Inscribed upper center: "Epidendrum" (crossed out); inscribed below top center: "Brasia / Lancianum"; inscribed left center: "Cattleya labiata / Caracas"        
      
              
      
      
        ACCESSION NUMBER
        85.121.1      
              
          CREDIT LINE
          Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard L. Milberg        
      
      
      
      
      
        MUSEUM LOCATION
                  This item is not on view
              
              
          CAPTION
          William Jacob Hays (American, 1830â1875). Two Orchids, Brassia Lanceana, Cattleya Labiata, 1869. Oil and graphite on canvas, 12 3/8 x 7 5/8 in. (31.4 x 19.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard L. Milberg, 85.121.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.121.1_bw.jpg)        
      
      
      
              
          IMAGE
          overall, 85.121.1_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph          
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