Descriptive Entry

This accession consists of master, exhibition, and project drawings created by the Department of Design and Production. The master drawings consist of drawings to which can be added those structures, details, etc. needed to generate specific exhibit or project drawings. These drawings are arranged numerically by gallery or room number and are filed first. The exhibition drawings consist of working drawings from which copies could be made and are filed alphabetically by name (in many cases the drawings are designated by the working title of the exhibit at the time or only by the artist's name). Lastly there are project drawings which consist of drawings for projects other than exhibits and include drawings for such things as pedestals and tie-backs, as well as drawings of storage spaces and the administrative suite. These drawings are filed alphabetically together with the exhibition drawings. Many of the drawings are of the Patent Office Building where the National Portrait Gallery is located.