The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of July 18, 2026

A vertically oriented etching in black ink on cream-colored paper depicts a central, plant-like form within a rectangular plate mark. A winding stem sprouts scaly, rounded pods and clusters of triangular, fringed shapes created by fine line work. Patterns of mesh and fringe textures adorn the organic structure, while small circular forms dangle from the branches. The intricate black lines stand in sharp contrast against the neutral, textured background.

Persian Flowers

1755

Jean Baptiste Pillement

(French, 1728–1808)
France, 18th century
etching
Plate: 30.5 x 20.9 cm (12 x 8 1/4 in.); Sheet: 42.8 x 29.2 cm (16 7/8 x 11 1/2 in.)
Carole W. and Charles B. Rosenblatt Endowment Fund 2022.250.6
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

The artist Jean Baptiste Pillement was employed by Marie Antoinette to create decorations for her legendary retreat, the Petit Trianon, at Versailles.

Description

Jean Baptiste Pillement was one of the most influential designers of the Rococo period, known for his varied and prolific chinoiseries (European variants of Chinese and Japanese motifs). His designs were spread throughout Europe primarily via their translation into prints. This print is one of a set of six etched by Pillement himself. Each depicts a so-called “Persian” flower, largely fantasies, presenting strange, alienlike floral forms that could be adapted to various uses from textiles to wall decorations.
  • Private Collection, France
    ?-2022
    (James Bergquist, Boston, MA), sold to The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
    December 5, 2022–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Pillement, Jean, and Léon Riotor. L'oeuvre de Jean Pillement (1727-1808): Chinoiseries, pastorales, paysages. Paris: A. Guerinet, 1931. vol. 1, cf. pl. 82
    Pillement, Georges. Jean Pillement. Paris: J. Haumont, 1945. mentioned p. 86
  • {{cite web|title=Persian Flowers|url=false|author=Jean Baptiste Pillement|year=1755|access-date=18 July 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2022.250.6