Figure Playing Musical Instrument Under Bough
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1920-36-246
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Jean-Baptiste Pillement, a versatile French artist (1728–1808) active during the lavish Rococo era, created *Figure Playing Musical Instrument Underough* in 1759. Known for his intricate designs in landscapes, floral motifs, and chinoiser-inspired decorations, Pillement traveled widely across Europe, influencing decorative arts from tapestries to porcelain. This print captures the period's delight in pastoral whimsy—a lone figure serenading beneath a tree bough—evoking the lighthearted elegance of 18th-century French taste. As a print, the work reflects Pillement's skill in etching and engrav...