Friezes: Trophies of Arms And Putti
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-98-2
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Jean Le Pautre, a leading French ornamental designer and engraver active during the reign of Louis XIV, created this 1671 print as part of his influential series of decorative friezes. Working in the Baroque tradition, Le Pautre supplied patterns that shaped the lavish interiors of royal residences and aristocratic homes across Europe. His designs often blended classical motifs with contemporary grandeur, helping define the opulent style of the period. Titled *Friezes: Trophies of Arms and Putti*, the work features rhythmic bands of military trophies—helmets, shields, and weapons—interwoven with playful cherubic figures. These elements evoke themes of victory and abundance, popular in seventeenth-century courtly decoration. As a print, it allowed Le Pautre’s intricate compositions to circulate widely among artisans, architects, and collectors, extending their influence far beyond the original drawings. Now preserved in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, this piece offers visitors a window into the collaborative world of design and craftsmanship that defined French Baroque aesthetics. Its elegant balance of martial symbols and lively putti continues to illustrate how ornament could convey both power and delight.