Bound print
Medium
Bound print
Classification
Bound print
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-551-31
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Bound Print by Jean-Charles KrafftJean-Charles Krafft1764–1833), a French artist renowned for his precise architectural views and neoclassical scenes, created this *Bound Print* during the dynamic years spanning 1771 to 1802. Active amid the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon, Krafft captured the elegance of Parisian landmarks and historical moments through engraving, a technique that allowed detailed reproductions for wide distribution. This bound collection represents a treasured format of the era, where prints were into volumes like personal albums or scholarly references, preserving ephemeral art in enduring form. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Smithsonian Collection—purchased by the Advisory Council—this piece highlights cross-cultural exchange, bridging French mastery with American interests. As a bound print, it exemplifies how 18th-century printmaking democratized visual culture, making high art accessible beyond elite salons. Though research continues to uncover specifics, Krafft's work invites us to ponder the architectural splendor and revolutionary fervor of his time, offering a window into neoclassicism's refined lines and historical gaze. (Word count: 178)