Architectural Sketches in Caen

American architect Arnold William Brunner documented details from medieval structures during his travels in Normandy. These pen sketches capture ornamental elements from Caen's ecclesiastical buildings: a decorative capital from an old church, classical column bases, and an elaborate finial with scrollwork. Brunner's precise draftsmanship reveals his study of historical architectural vocabulary—the proportions, moldings, and carved ornaments that defined Gothic and Romanesque design. Such field studies were essential practice for architects of the Gilded Age, who drew upon European precedent to shape American civic and residential buildings. The annotations and quick studies suggest working notes rather than finished drawings, offering insight into how late nineteenth-century architects trained their eyes and hands.