L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE
late 17th century
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-533-66
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the grandeur of 17th-century France withL’Arc de Triomphe*, a captivating print by Adam Perelle (1638–1695), a master French engraver renowned for his depictions of the era’s architectural marvels. Created in the late 1600s during the opulent reign of Louis XIV this work likely captures one of Paris’s triumphal arches—symbols of royal power and military victory, such as the Porte Saint-Martin similar monuments erected to celebrate the Sun King’s triumphs. Perelle’s prints, often produced in series, brought the splendor of French landmarks to a wider audience, blending artistry with t...