Bound print

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Jean Mariette's *Bound Print* (1727) offers a glimpse into the vibrant of 18th-century French printmaking. Born in 1660, Mariette was a prominent engraver,, and art dealer whose family dominated the Paris art market for generations. Active during the Regency era—a time of lavish ornamentation and cultural flourishing under Philippe II, Duke of Orléans—this work exemplifies the meticulous craft of French prints, which served as affordable reproductions of paintings, drawings, and designs for collectors across Europe. As a "bound print," this piece likely formed part of an album or volume, a popular format for preserving and displaying prints. In the early 1700s, such bindings protected delicate paper works while allowing intimate study, reflecting the era's growing fascination with connoisseurship and the democratization of art through prints. Mariette's expertise in reproductive engraving made his output highly sought after, bridging elite patronage and wider audiences. Acquired by the Smithsonian American Art Museum through the Advisory Council, this artwork awaits further research, promising new insights into transatlantic artistic exchanges. Visitors, imagine flipping through its pages to uncover Rococo elegance preserved in ink and paper!