Rocaille Arch and Fountain with a Vase and Sea Horses
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-231-6
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the whimsical world of 18th French Rococo with *Rocaille Arch and with a Vase and Horses*, a captivating print by Pierre Edme (1720–1775). Created between 1743 and 1763 during the lavish reign of Louis XV, this work exemplifies the ornate Rocaille style—a playful evolution of Baroque with its sinuous shell-like motifs, scrolling curves, and fantastical marine elements. Babel, a French engraver, masterfully rendered architectural fantasies like this arch and fountain, complete with a central vase and lively sea horses, evoking opulent gardens and fountains. As a print, the artwork se...