Plan du Confident

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

**Plan du Confident** is a delicate print by Richard de Lalonde, a architect and designer active from 1780 to 1796, created between 1775 and1788. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Smithsonian Collection, this work exemplifies the elegant Neoclassical style that flourished in pre-Revolutionary France. As a print—likely an engraving from one of Lalonde's pattern books for furniture makers—it captures the refined aesthetic of Louis XVI-era interiors, where symmetry, classical motifs, and comfort converged. The title refers to a "confident," a popular 18th-century sofa designed for intimate tête-à-têtes, allowing two people to converse face-to-face in curved armchairs connected by an S-shaped backrest. Lalonde's design plans, like this one, were essential tools for ébénistes (cabinetmakers), disseminating sophisticated forms inspired by ancient Greco-Roman furniture. These prints bridged artistry and craftsmanship, influencing workshops across Europe and even reaching American tastemakers during the early Federal period. Purchased for the museum by the Advisory Council, **Plan du Confident** highlights the transatlantic exchange of design ideas. Though research continues, it invites us to appreciate how a simple print encoded the social graces and luxurious aspirations of Enlightenment-era salons. (198 words)