Designs for the Letter D
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-375-4
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Jean Baptiste Piauger, French artist active in the1760s, created *Designs for the Letter* in 1767, a delicate print that exemplifies the ornate decorative arts of 18th-century France. As part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection—purchased by the Advisory Council—this work likely showcases intricate ornamental motifs centered around the letter "D," a common format for pattern books used by artisans in architecture, furniture, and bookbinding. Such designs were essential tools for disseminating elegant flourishes during the twilight of the Rococo era, blending whimsy with emerging...