Bound print

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

**Bound Print by Jean Mariette (1727)** Jean Mariette, a masterful French engraver and art dealer (1660–1742), this *Bound Print* in 1727, during the Regency period under Philippe II, Duke of Orléans. Born into a dynasty of print publishers, Mariette was renowned for his intricate reproductive engravings after old masters and contemporaries, bridging the late Baroque and emerging Rococo styles. His works captured the elegance of French court life, disseminating sophisticated designs through affordable prints—a revolutionary medium for art lovers beyond elite circles. As a "bound print," this piece likely forms part of an album or volume, a popular 18th-century format for collecting and preserving high-quality engravings. These bound collections served as portable galleries, influencing artists, collectors, and designers across Europe. Mariette's technical precision in etching and engraving highlights the era's advances in printmaking, allowing for fine details and tonal subtlety that rivaled paintings. Acquired for the Smithsonian American Art Museum through the Advisory Council's purchase, this artwork from the Smithsonian Collection awaits deeper research, promising fresh insights into Mariette's legacy. Visitors, imagine flipping through such a treasured volume— a window into 18th-century France's artistic splendor! (198 words)