Arabesque Ornament Design
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-372-11
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This print, titled Arabesque Ornament Design, was created by French artist Charles Normand (1765–1840) between 1787 and 1795. Produced during a of artistic transition in France, it exemplifies how prints served as vital tools for sharing decorative ideas among architects, designers, and craftsmen across Europe. The arabesque style features elegant, flowing patterns of interlacing forms, a popular choice for ornamenting interiors, furniture, and architecture in the late 18th century. As a print, this work allowed such motifs to be reproduced and studied widely, preserving the sophistication of French decorative arts. Now in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, it offers a window into the era's refined ornamental traditions.