Trophy Design
1657â82
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-341-74
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Jean Le Pautre (1618–1682), a French engraver, designer, and architect, created this *Trophy Design* sometime between 1657 and 1682, during the opulent Baroque era under Louis XIV. Renowned for his intricate ornamental prints, Le Pautre contributed to the grandeur of Versailles and popularized elaborate motifs that adorned furniture, walls, and architecture across Europe. As a master of the grotesque style—a playful fusion of floral, animal, and symbolic elements—his works bridged fine art and decorative crafts, influencing generations of artisans. This print exemplifies the 17th-century "tro...