Fleuron double avec son Culeau rampans, portant son Collet à feuille d’Eau

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This intriguing print by French artist Jacques Valentin Fontaine captures the elegance of mid-18th-century decorative design. Created between 1742 and 1755, during Fontaine’s active years, the work bears the descriptive title “Fleuron double avec son Culeau rampans, portant son Collet à feuille d’Eau,” suggesting a detailed ornamental motif featuring paired floral elements, scrolling forms, and water-leaf detailing. As a print held in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, it reflects the period’s fascination with refined, nature-inspired patterns that adorned architecture, furniture, and luxury objects across France. Fontaine’s contribution belongs to a broader tradition of ornamental engraving that spread design ideas among artisans and patrons. Though the exact medium remains under study, the piece’s classification as a print highlights its role in disseminating sophisticated French taste during the reign of Louis XV. Acquired for the museum by the Advisory Council, it offers visitors a glimpse into the collaborative world of 18th-century decorative arts and the enduring appeal of intricate, nature-derived motifs.