Design for Two Panels of Ornament
Classification
ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-285-17
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
François de Cuvilli the Elder (1695–1768), a Belgian-born architect and who made his mark in Germany, was a master of the exuberant Rococo style. This *Design for Two Panels ofnament* from 1745 exemplifies his flair for intricate decorative motifs, likely intended for architectural panels or furnishings in lavish interiors. Active primarily at the Bavarian court in Munich, Cuvilliés blended French elegance with German opulence, creating whimsical patterns of scrolls, shells, and foliage that defined the playful spirit of mid-18th-century European design. Created during the height of the Rococ...