Object Timeline

1952

  • Work on this object began.

1982

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2021

2025

  • You found it!

Drawing, Study 80

This is a Drawing. It was designed by John De Cesare. It is dated May 11, 1952 and we acquired it in 1982. Its medium is color pencil, graphite on cream wove paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

John De Cesare's belief in the importance of relating decorative motifs to the building's function is exemplified by a number of drawings for Memorial Towers dedicated to teh efforts of the Berlin Airlift. The shape and dimensions of the buildings and the decorative motifs derive from a graph published in the New York Times on April 24, 1949 documenting the amount of food, coal, and industrial freight airlifted by the U.S. into Western Berlin during the 1948-1949 Soviet blockade.

This object was donated by Estate of John De Cesare. It is credited Gift of the Estate of John De Cesare.

Its dimensions are

H x W: 45.7 × 61 cm (18 × 24 in.)

It is inscribed

Inscribed in graphite, lower right: John De Cesare / Study-T-4-24-49 #14B- (5-11-52) / 1/8" = 1'0" S#80

Cite this object as

Drawing, Study 80; Designed by John De Cesare (American, b. Italy, 1890–1972); USA; color pencil, graphite on cream wove paper; H x W: 45.7 × 61 cm (18 × 24 in.); Gift of the Estate of John De Cesare; 1982-25-15

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

For higher resolution or commercial use contact ArtResource.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18799673/ |title=Drawing, Study 80 |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=15 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>