Chimneypiece Design with Side Paneling
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-243-4
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Jacques-François Blondel’s 1727 design captures the elegance of early eighteenth-century French interior decoration. As a young architect and draftsman, Blondel created this print to illustrate a chimneypiece flanked by refined paneling, a focal point in grand salons where fireplaces served both practical heating and social display. The work reflects the period’s growing interest in harmonious room ensembles, where every surface—from carved mantel to surrounding woodwork—contributed to a unified aesthetic. Printed works like this one allowed architectural ideas to circulate among patrons, cra...