Plate from "Frises, feuillages ou tritons marins, à la romaine"
ca. 1640–1682
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-94-646
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Jean Le Pautre (1618–1682), a leading French engraver of the Baroque era, created this plate from his series *Frises,illages ou tritonsins, à la romaine (Friezes, Foliage, or Marine Tritons in the Roman Style) sometime between circa 1640 and 1682. Working during the opulent reign of Louis XIV, Le Pautre specialized in intricate ornamental prints that drew inspiration from classical antiquity, blending Roman motifs with the lavish decorative tastes of 17th-century France. These designs were highly influential for architects, furniture makers, and interior decorators seeking to evoke grandeur in...