Trophy
Medium
Drawing
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1911-28-268-2
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Pierre Ranson’s “Trophy,” created around 1780, offers a glimpse into the refined world of late eighteenth-century French design. As a drawing rather than a finished painting or print, the work likely served as a preparatory study or presentation piece, showcasing Ranson’s skill in capturing ornamental motifs. Drawings of this kind were essential tools for artists and artisans, allowing ideas to be refined before translation into tapestries, textiles, or decorative objects. Born in 1736, Ranson worked during a period when French decorative arts flourished under royal patronage and growing midd...