Bound print
Classification
Bound print
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-543-54
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Germain Boffrand (7–1754), a leading French architect of the Rococo era, this *Bound Print* in 1745. Boffrand was renowned for elegant designs at Versailles and his influential publication *Livre d'architecture*, a bound volume of exquisite engravings showcasing ornate interiors, furniture, and decorative motifs. As a "bound print," this work likely originates from such a collection, where intricate etchings were compiled into books for architects, designers, and to study and replicate. Rococo artistry emphasized graceful curves, asymmetry, and playful ornamentation, reflecting the opulent ta...