Title Page
1622-1676
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-275-7
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Title Page** by Jean Cotelle (French, 1607–1676) is a captivating print from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, acquired through the generosity of the Advisory Council. Created sometime between 1622 and 1676, this work exemplifies the artistry of 17th-century France, a golden age of Baroque exuberance under kings Louis XIII and XIV. As a title page—likely a frontispiece for a book or print series— it served as an elegant gateway to knowledge, blending decorative flourish with symbolic depth to intrigue readers. Cotelle, known for his contributions to French painting and desig...