Soffit and Vase Designs
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-330-53
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Richard de Lalonde, a artist active from 1780 to 1796, created *Soffit and Vase Designs* between 1775 and 1788. This print captures the elegance of late 18th-century French ornamental design, a period when intricate patterns adorned architecture and decorative arts amid the shift from Rococo exuberance Neoclassical restraint. Soffits—decorative ceiling panels—and vases were staples of grand interiors, reflecting the era's fascination with symmetry, classical motifs, and refined luxury for aristocratic homes and public spaces. As a print, the work likely served as a model for artisans, dissemi...