Les Eaux et les Environs de Chaville

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Adam Perelle, a French artist born in 1638 and active until his death in 1695, created this print titled *Les Eaux et les Environs de Chaville* sometime between 1677 and 1703. The work belongs to the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection and was acquired through the Advisory Council, underscoring its value as a historical example of European printmaking now preserved in an American institution. The title evokes the waters and surrounding landscapes of Chaville, a locale near Paris, rendered through the print medium. In the seventeenth century, prints played a vital role in documenting and sharing views of notable sites, allowing wider audiences to appreciate scenic details that might otherwise remain accessible only to travelers or estate owners. As part of ongoing research at the museum, this piece offers visitors insight into French artistic traditions of the period and the enduring appeal of landscape imagery across centuries. Its presence in the collection highlights connections between European heritage and American museum holdings.