Headboard and Backpiece Designs
late 17th century
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-314-5
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nicolas Guérard, a French artist active in the late 17th century (ca. 1648–1719), created this print of headboard and backpiece designs. These elements were essential to beds, often serving as focal points in period interiors where furniture blended practicality with visual splendor. As a print, the work facilitated the sharing of design ideas among artisans, a common practice that helped spread French decorative influences. It captures the era's emphasis on detailed ornamentation, turning functional pieces into expressions of craftsmanship and taste. Now in the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection after purchase by the Advisory Council, this print offers insight into historical furniture design. It highlights how graphic arts preserved creative visions, inviting viewers to connect with the ingenuity of early modern European makers.