Design for Doors
1686â1716
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-353-2
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Pierre Lepautre's *Design for Doors* (1686–1716) offers a glimpse into the lavish ornamental world of late 17th- and early 18th-century France A prominent French engraver and designer active during Louis XIV's reign, Lepre specialized in intricate patterns for architecture and furnishings, reflecting the era's Baroque splendor and the opulence of Versailles. This print captures his skill in envisioning grand doorways, likely intended for palaces or elite residences, where elaborate motifs symbolized power and elegance. Classified as a print in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection—...