Rocaille Ornament Designs
mid- 18th century
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-317-19
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Georg Michael Roscher, a German engraver active from 1700 to 1775, created *Rocaille Ornament Designs* in the mid-18th century, the exuberant spirit of the Rococo style. Rocaille, meaning "rockwork" or "shellwork," epitomized this movement's playful asymmetry, with swirling shells, foliage, and fantastical curves that adorned everything from furniture to architecture. As a print, Roscher work served as a pattern book, allowing artisans across Europe to replicate these intricate motifs in silverwork, interiors, and decorative arts. These designs reflect the Rococo era's shift from Baroque gran...