New Book of Twelve Pieces of Fantasy useful for various purposes

Art Historical Context

**New Book of Twelve of Fantasy Useful for Various** (ca. 1736) is a captivating bound volume of etchings from the height of French Rococo artistry. Primarily associated with Jacques de La Joue the Younger, master of ornamental design, it features contributions from an impressive roster of engravers and artists, including Marguerite Caillou Chére, Louis Desplaces, Nicolas Cochin II, publisher Gabriel Huquier (Chez Huquier). This collaborative effort showcases twelve imaginative plates, blending whimsical fantasy motifs with practical elegance, ideal for inspiring decorators, architects, and craftsmen of the era. Etched in the mid-1730s, these works exemplify Rococo's playful exuberance—scrolling foliage, fantastical figures, and intricate arabesques—rendered through the precise, fluid lines of etching. Measuring a substantial 19 11/16 x 12 3/4 inches when open, the book reflects the period's fascination with printed pattern books, which democratized high-style ornamentation across Europe. Published amid Louis XV's opulent court, it served "various purposes," from furniture inlays to wall panels, bridging fine art and everyday luxury. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection since 1950, this rarity offers a window into 18th-century design innovation, where fantasy fueled functional beauty. Visitors will delight in its enduring charm and technical finesse.