Design for a Hunting Trophy
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-494-6
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Antoine Watteau’s “Design for a Hunting Trophy,” created around 1735, captures the refined elegance of early eighteenth-century French decorative art. Although Watteau himself passed away in 1721, this print preserves his inventive approach to ornamental design. Known for pioneering the lighthearted fêtes galantes style, Watteau often blended natural motifs with playful sophistication, and this work likely reflects his talent for transforming everyday themes—such as hunting—into graceful compositions suited for aristocratic interiors. As a print in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collec...