Frame with Masks and Trees
Classification
Bound print
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-281-63
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Frame with Masks and Trees** François de Cuvilliés the Elder (1695–1768), a Belgian-born architect and designer who thrived in Bavaria, Germany, created this intricate *Frame with Masks and Trees* between 1740 and 1768. A master of the Rococo style, Cuvilliés blended French elegance with German opulence, adorning royal residences like the Munich Residenz with whimsical interiors. This bound print, likely from one of his influential design folios, captures the era's love for playful ornamentation, serving as a template for artisans crafting furniture, walls, and frames. The composition fea...