Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-260-15
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This enigmatic print, attributed to the French artist Pierre Bourdon (. 1656–1708), offers a glimpse into the vibrant of late 17th-century European printmaking. Bourdon, active during the grandeur of Louis XIV's reign was part of a tradition where prints served as affordable reproductions of paintings, drawings, and designs, making high art accessible beyond elite circles. The "after" designation suggests this work reproduces one of Bourdon's original, a common practice that amplified artistic influence across Europe and into the American colonies. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museu...