Ornamental Trophy Design
1759â80
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-393-4
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Ornamental Trophy Design** by Pierre Ranson (French, 1736–1786) captures the exuberant spirit of 18th-century French decorative arts. Created between 1759 and 1780, during the lavish Rococo era under Louis XV, this print showcases Ranson's skill as a designer whose intricate motifs influenced furniture makers, silversmiths, and architects across Europe. "Trophies" in this context refer not to athletic prizes but elaborate symbolic assemblages—often garlands, weapons, or attributes evoking themes like victory or the hunt—central to opulent interiors and objets d'art. As a print, likely an et...