Designs for Armchair Covers (Back and Seat)
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-389-114
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Pierre Ranson's *Designs for Armchair (Back and Seat)*, created in 1778, offers a glimpse into the elegant of French decorative arts during the late Ancien Régime. As a skilled French engraver (1736–1786), Ranson in ornamental prints that captured the refined tastes of the aristocracy under Louis XVI. This work, now housed in the Smithsonian American Museum's Print Collection (purchased by the Advisory Council), presents intricate patterns for upholstery, highlighting the meticulous design process behind luxurious period furniture. Printed in 1778, the piece reflects the transition from opule...