Who painted Designs for Tail-Pieces: pl. 8?

Designs for Tail-Pieces: pl. 8 was painted by Gabriel Huquier in 1730.

Where can I see Designs for Tail-Pieces: pl. 8?

Designs for Tail-Pieces: pl. 8 is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Designs for Tail-Pieces: pl. 8?

Designs for Tail-Pieces: pl. 8 is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Designs for Tail-Pieces: pl. 8

Gabriel Huquier , 1730

Designs for Tail-Pieces: pl. 8 is an ink print by the Baroque artist Gabriel Huquier. It dates from 1730 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Gabriel Huquier’s plate 8 from the series *Designs for Tail‑Pieces* is an early‑18th‑century engraving, dated to around 1730. The sheet presents a collection of ten miniature ornamental motifs intended for use as coat‑button designs, each rendered in fine line work on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The individual motifs vary widely: some take the form of crowns, others echo musical instruments, tools, or incorporate tiny figures and animal forms. One design bears the inscription “S.P.Q.R.”, invoking the ancient Roman motto of the Senate and People of Rome, suggesting a classical reference within the decorative program.

Technique & Style

Executed with delicate, precise incised lines, the engraving employs subtle cross‑hatching to suggest volume and surface texture. The uniformity of line weight across the ten studies demonstrates Huquier’s control of the burin, while the shallow shading adds a modest sense of depth without detracting from the overall flat decorative quality.

History & Provenance

Created by the French engraver and designer Gabriel Huquier, the plate reflects his activity in the decorative arts market of the early Rococo period. Huquier signed the work in the lower right corner, confirming authorship. The sheet likely served as a reference for tailors, goldsmiths, or pattern‑makers seeking fashionable button designs.