Chimneypiece Design
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-265-1
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Chimneypiece Design** is a print by French artist N. Bruchon, who was active in the 18th century. Created between 1775 and 1787, it presents a design for a fireplace surround—an important feature of interior architecture and decoration in the period. Late-18th-century France was a leading center for decorative arts, and printed designs like this one helped architects, craftsmen, and patrons share and realize new ideas for elegant interiors. Such prints served as practical tools, spreading fashionable concepts for chimneypieces and related furnishings across workshops and households. This e...