Designs for the Letters J, I, K, L
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-375-7
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
In the mid-18th century, French artist Jean Baptiste Piauger created *Designs for the Letters, I, K, L* in 1767, a delicate print showcasing ornamental designs for these specific alphabet letters. Active during the 1760s, Piauger contributed to the vibrant tradition of French decorative arts, where such prints served as practical models for artisans, typographers, engr, and printers. This work exemplifies the era's fascination with elegant lettering, blending Rococo flourishes with emerging Neoclassical precision, ideal for book illustrations, signage, or architectural embellishments. As a pr...