Face et Profil de la Menuiserie du Confident
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-331-27
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Richard de Lalonde, a French artist active from 1780 to 1796, created *Face et Profil de la Menuiserie du Confident* between 1775 and 1788. This print, now housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Smithsonian Collection, captures the elegance of late 18th-century French decorative arts. Acquired through the generosity of the Museum's Advisory Council, it exemplifies the period's fascination with precise technical illustrations for craftsmen. The title translates to "Front and Profile of the Joinery of the Confident," referring to detailed views of fine woodworking—likely for a "confident," a stylish S-shaped settee designed for intimate conversation, popular in Louis XVI-era salons. Lalonde specialized in such designs, producing prints that served as pattern books for menuisiers (joiners) and ébénistes (cabinetmakers). These works bridged art and industry, disseminating Neo-classical motifs like clean lines and symmetrical forms inspired by antiquity. As a print medium, it highlights the era's innovative use of engraving to standardize high-end furniture production across Europe. Though research on this piece is ongoing, it offers a window into the craftsmanship that defined pre-Revolutionary French luxury, influencing global design traditions. Visitors will appreciate its blend of artistry and utility in our virtual galleries.