Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-538-206
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Jean Mariette (1660–1742), a distinguished French engraver and art dealer, created this print in 1727, during the vibrant Regency period following the death of Louis XIV. As a master of reproductive printmaking, Mariette bridged the grandeur of Baroque traditions with the emerging lightness of Rococo elegance. His works often captured the opulent decorative arts and portraits of the French elite, reflecting a time when prints served as affordable gateways to elite culture. This piece, classified simply as a "Print," highlights the technical precision of 18th-century engraving—likely involving intricate line work on copper plates for detailed reproductions. Such prints were vital for disseminating images across Europe and beyond, influencing collectors, artists, and tastemakers. Purchased for the Smithsonian American Art Museum by the Advisory Council, it joins the Smithsonian Collection, underscoring transatlantic artistic exchanges. While research is ongoing to reveal more about its specific subject or iconography, this work invites us to appreciate Mariette's enduring legacy in preserving visual splendor for future generations. (178 words)