Bound print
Classification
Bound print
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-539-23
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Smithsonian American Art, where we spotlight *Bound Print* by Jean Mariette a French artist (1660–1742). Created in 1727, this entered the collection through a purchase by the Museum's Advisory Council, reflecting the institution's commitment to preserving diverse artistic legacies. Mariette worked during France's Regency period under Louis XV, a time when printmaking flourished as a democratic medium, allowing intricate designs to reach wider audiences beyond elite paintings. Classified as a bound print—a format where individual prints were compiled into albums or volumes—this artwork highlights 18th-century collecting practices. Prints like this were prized for their portability and reproducibility, bridging art markets across Europe. Though the exact medium awaits further research (noted as "Research in Progress"), such works often captured the elegance of the transitioning Baroque-to-Rococo styles, emphasizing ornamentation and lightness. Today, *Bound Print* invites us to appreciate how prints democratized art, fostering cultural exchange. Ongoing scholarship promises deeper insights into Mariette's contributions and this enigmatic treasure. (178 words)