Designs for Ornament
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-259-3
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Created in 1751 by the French artist Pierre Germain, "Designs for Ornament" offers a glimpse into the elegant world of 18th-century decorative arts. As a print, this work belongs to a tradition of disseminating intricate patterns that craftsmen could adapt for silverware, furniture, and architectural details. Germain, who lived from 1703 to 1783, produced designs that captured the refined tastes of his time, helping to spread French ornamental ideas across Europe. Now preserved in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the piece was acquired through the Advisory Council and remains an important...