News & Features

The Design Library

The Israel Museum

From prehistory to contemporary art and photography, the Israel Museum offers an in depth examination of both Jewish art and Jewish life.

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Caravaggio: The Light and Dark

400 years after his death, the master of the dramatic still has the power to delight and perplex

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The Regime Against Art

The Nazi exhibition of works deemed 'degenerate' is only one example of state-sanctioned censorship and destruction of art works.

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DES327652 Painted textile design from an Alsation-mill pattern book, c. 1810-15 (painted textile) by French School, (19th century), The Design Library
DES327652 Painted textile design from an Alsation-mill pattern book, c. 1810-15 (painted textile) by French School, (19th century), The Design Library
DES95499 Art Nouveau textile design of lillies, by Felix Aubert (1866-1940) 1897 (printed cotton), The Design Library

Founded 30 years ago by Susan Meller and her late husband Herbert Meller, The Design Library holds the largest collection of prints and designs from the 1750s to the 20th century. Though the collection started with old pieces of fabric salvaged from the attics of New England homes, it has grown both in size and range with important acquisitions from Europe. The Design Library not only works to preserve and restore items in their collection, but also acts as a resource and supply company for an external clientele. From 18th century copper plate designs to cartoon-like prints from the 1950s, Bridgeman holds many of these rare and intricate designs in our archive.

View the entire collection

DES 94109 Textile design of circus acts, French, c.1880-90 (roller-printed wool challis) / The Design Library
DES 114149 Skipping Rope textile design, 1920s (gouache on paper), American School, The Design Library