The Stettheimer Dollhouse in a New Light

The Stettheimer Dollhouse, a beloved highlight of the Museum of the City of New York’s collection, returns to MCNY’s galleries following an extensive conservation project. With a refreshed appearance, this extraordinary object promises to captivate both first-time visitors and those who have cherished the dollhouse for generations. 

With furnishings handcrafted over nearly two decades by Carrie Stettheimer, the dollhouse vividly captures the essence of New York in the vibrant post-World War I era—a time when the city became a center for art, theater, literature, and fashion. Visitors will discover the stories of the Stettheimer sisters—Carrie, Ettie, and Florine—who hosted a renowned artistic salon in their Manhattan home and pursued their individual creative endeavors.  

While Ettie was an accomplished philosopher and novelist, and Florine a celebrated painter, Carrie dedicated herself to crafting this intricate miniature world, reflecting the stylish lives they led within their avant-garde artistic circle of the 1920s. The dollhouse features miniature works by renowned artists including Marcel Duchamp and Gaston Lachaise, further enriching its significance and showcasing the vibrant cultural milieu of the time. 

This new exhibition celebrates the return of this remarkable three-dimensional artwork, inviting visitors to explore it up close. Enhanced by a months-long cleaning and stabilization process, the dollhouse offers an even more immersive experience for all. 

For the first time in decades, the dollhouse will be accompanied by dolls created in the 1970s by John Darcy Noble, the former curator of MCNY’s toy collection. Using Florine Stettheimer’s portrait of Carrie as a model, he aimed to imbue each doll with a style and character he described as “thoroughly Stettheimer.” Noble designed elaborate outfits from rich fabrics like tulle and chiffon to mirror the looks of notable figures in the Stettheimer circle, including Gertrude Stein and Edward Steichen, as well as the sisters themselves. 

Support for this exhibition is provided by the Museum of the City of New York Board of Trustees and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.