Print

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This elegant print by Jean Mariette, a French artist (1660–1742), dates to 1727, a vibrant period in French art during the Regency era. Mariette was a skilled practitioner in the burgeoning world of printmaking, which allowed for the widespread dissemination of images from paintings, drawings, and designs by leading masters. Though the specific medium remains unidentified, prints like this one were essential for art education, collecting, and commerce, bridging the gap between elite workshops and broader audiences across Europe. Acquired for the Smithsonian American Art Museum through the Advisory Council and housed in the Smithsonian Collection, this work highlights the transatlantic exchange of artistic traditions. Its presence in an American institution underscores the enduring appeal of 18th-century French graphic arts, which influenced decorative styles and connoisseurship worldwide. Currently, research is in progress to uncover more about its subject, technique, and provenance, inviting visitors to ponder its role in the evolution of reproductive print culture. (178 words)