L'Afrique

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Created in 1736 by the French artist Marie Michelle Blondel, *L'Afrique* is a print that reflects the 18th-century European fascination with representing the continents through allegorical imagery. Blondel, active during the mid-1700s, worked at a time when prints served as accessible vehicles for sharing artistic and cultural ideas across social classes. Though the exact medium remains unspecified, its classification as a print highlights the importance of printmaking in disseminating visual knowledge during the Enlightenment. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, this work was acquired through the Advisory Council, underscoring institutional efforts to preserve international artistic heritage. As research on Blondel and this piece continues, *L'Afrique* offers visitors a glimpse into how French artists of the period engaged with global themes, blending artistic skill with the era’s growing interest in geography and cultural representation. Its presence in an American collection further illustrates the transatlantic appreciation for 18th-century European printmaking.