Designs for the Decoration of Firearms
Nicholas-Noël Boutet (1761–1833) was director and chief designer of the imperial manufactory of arms at Versailles after the French Revolution and during the reign of Emperor Napoleon I. These drawings come from a group of seventy-two original designs for the decoration of deluxe firearms made under Boutet's direction. They are the only firearms designs from his workshop known to survive. In them we can see Boutet's innovative use of neoclassical motifs, which set the standard for firearms ornament across Europe at the time.
Artwork Details
- Title: Designs for the Decoration of Firearms
- Designer: Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833)
- Date: ca. 1795–1805
- Geography: Versailles
- Culture: French, Versailles
- Medium: Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper
- Dimensions: various sizes, largest: 8 3/8 x 6 1/16 in. (21.2 x 15.3 cm); smallest: 1 x 5/8 in. (2.5 x 1.5 cm)
- Classification: Works on Paper-Drawings
- Credit Line: Purchase, Clay P. Bedford Gift, 2004
- Object Number: 2004.101.1–.72
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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Nicolas Noël Boutet
ca. 1795–1805
Nicolas Noël Boutet
ca. 1797–1805
Nicolas Noël Boutet
ca. 1797–1805
Nicolas Noël Boutet
ca. 1797–1805
Nicolas Noël Boutet
ca. 1795–1805
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