Design for Fountain with Coat of Arms and Equestrian Statue
Classification
ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-285-132
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
François de Cuvilli the Younger (1731–1777), a prominent German architect and designer of the 18th century, created this intricate *Design for Fountain with Coat Arms and Equestrian Statue Working in the lavish Rococo style, Cuvilliés specialized in ornate decorative arts, often for the Bavarian court, blending playful asymmetry with elegant flourishes. This preparatory drawing, classified as an ornament, exemplifies the era's fascination with monumental public features like fountains, which served as symbols of prestige and power. Rococo designs like this one emphasized sculptural drama and ...