Design for a Rococo Cartouche with Putti and Monkeys 1740 - 1808

This Rococo-style design by French artist Clément Pierre Marillier depicts a cartouche, a decorative element often used in architecture and furniture. The design features swirling, asymmetrical lines, a hallmark of the Rococo period, and is adorned with playful putti and monkeys. The cartouche's intricate detail and light, airy feel are typical of this decorative style, which favored elegance and whimsy over the grandeur of the preceding Baroque era. This design, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, offers a glimpse into the artistry of 18th-century decorative design.