Motif for Bank Note Design
Classification
numismatics
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Walter Shirlaw
Accession Number
1912-16-71
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Walter Shirlaw’s “Motif for Bank Note Design,” created around 1895, offers a glimpse into the careful marriage of fine art and practical currency production in late-nineteenth-century America. Born in Scotland in 1838 and later becoming a prominent figure in American art circles, Shirlaw contributed designs that helped shape the visual identity of U.S. paper money during a period when intricate, original artwork was essential for security and national pride. Classified under numismatics at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the work reflects the era’s emphasis on allegorical and decorative motifs to deter counterfeiting while celebrating American ideals. Though the medium remains unspecified, its purpose as a bank-note motif underscores the high level of craftsmanship demanded of artists who worked for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Donated by Mrs. Walter Shirlaw, the piece now invites visitors to consider how everyday objects like currency can carry artistic intention and historical resonance.