Design for a Flask 1675 - 1750

This detailed pen-and-ink drawing by French artist Juste Aurèle Meissonnier is a design for a silver flask. The drawing, dated between 1675 and 1750, displays the intricate and ornate Rococo style prevalent during this period. The design features a bulbous body with a delicate, S-shaped neck that culminates in a stylized finial. The surface of the flask is adorned with swirling scrolls and foliate motifs, showcasing the Rococo emphasis on asymmetrical forms and the playful use of natural elements. Meissonnier, a prolific artist, is best known for his designs for silver objects and furniture, and this drawing reflects his mastery of the Rococo aesthetic. The drawing is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.