Design for Tabernacle, from "Tabernacles"

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This print, titled Design for Tabernacle from the series "Tabernacles," was created by the French artist Jean Le Pautre around 1660. Born in 1618 and active until 1682, Le Pautre was a skilled designer whose ornamental prints helped share decorative ideas across Europe. The work presents an elaborate design for a tabernacle, a small shrine or receptacle commonly used in churches to hold sacred items. In the 17th century, such prints were vital resources for architects, sculptors, and craftsmen seeking models for religious furnishings. Le Pautre’s series captures the richly sculptural and theatrical qualities of French Baroque ornament, with flowing architectural forms and intricate details that blend function with visual splendor. Now in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, this print—acquired through the Advisory Council—offers insight into the era’s fusion of art and devotion. Though the exact medium is unspecified, prints of this type typically used precise line work to convey complex designs, allowing modern viewers to appreciate the inventive spirit behind 17th-century church decoration.