Album met twee series ornamentprenten 1820

This album of ornament prints was compiled in France by Pierre-Nicolas Beauvallet, a sculptor, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The title page declares that these are fragments of ornament ‘in the antique style,’ and they were intended for use by painters, sculptors, architects, and other craftsmen. The image before us presents a fascinating instance of institutional and cultural history. Beauvallet's book reflects the neoclassical movement's interest in classical forms. This interest was stoked by archaeological discoveries and further propelled by the French academies, such as the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, which emphasized classical principles in art education. We see art here being self-consciously educational, and the role of the artist intertwined with that of the academy. Understanding the influence of the academy on art, the socio-economic conditions that shape artistic production, and the politics of imagery are all key to unlocking the meaning of this album. Resources for understanding this historical moment can be found in the archives of the Académie Royale and period treatises on art and architecture.