Les Quatre Elements
ca. 1810
Classification
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1978-140-5
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Les Quatre Éléments** by B. M. Lebert, created around 1810, invites visitors into the world of early 19th-century decorative arts through its classification as printed, dyed, and painted textiles. Little is known about the French-born artist (1759–1836), whose lifespan bridged the Enlightenment and Romantic eras, but this piece reflects a popular allegorical theme: the four classical elements—earth, air, fire, and water. Such motifs drew from ancient philosophy and Renaissance symbolism, often adorning homes and public spaces to evoke harmony between nature and humanity. The medium's layere...