Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-309-5
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Lutrin** *Jacques Valentin Fontaine (French, active 174–1760), 1742–55 Print; Smithsonian Collection, Smithsonian American Art Museum into the elegant world of 18th French printmaking with *Lutrin* by Jacques Valentin Fontaine, a skilled artist active during the 1740s and 1760s. Created between 1742 and1755, this print bears the evocative title "Lutrin French for "lectern"—a furnishing often found in churches or libraries for holding books during readings. While the exact medium remains under study, prints like this were vital in the Rococo era, allowing intricate designs to be widely shared among artists, architects, and collectors across Europe. Fontaine's work reflects the period's fascination with ornate decorative arts, where prints served as blueprints for craftsmanship, from furniture to ecclesiastical objects. Acquired through purchase by the museum's Advisory Council, *Lutrin* now graces the Smithsonian American Art Museum's holdings, bridging French sophistication with American collections. Its presence highlights how European prints influenced transatlantic tastes. Research on this piece is ongoing, inviting us to ponder its techniques and untold stories. Visit and let its historical whispers spark your imagination! (178 words)