Who painted Dousieme livre des Oeuvres de J. A. Messonnier [ sic ] Livre de Chandeliers de Sculpture en Argent?

Dousieme livre des Oeuvres de J. A. Messonnier [ sic ] Livre de Chandeliers de Sculpture en Argent was painted by Gabriel Huquier in 1745.

Where can I see Dousieme livre des Oeuvres de J. A. Messonnier [ sic ] Livre de Chandeliers de Sculpture en Argent?

Dousieme livre des Oeuvres de J. A. Messonnier [ sic ] Livre de Chandeliers de Sculpture en Argent is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Dousieme livre des Oeuvres de J. A. Messonnier [ sic ] Livre de Chandeliers de Sculpture en Argent?

Dousieme livre des Oeuvres de J. A. Messonnier [ sic ] Livre de Chandeliers de Sculpture en Argent is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Dousieme livre des Oeuvres de J. A. Messonnier [<i>sic</i>] Livre de Chandeliers de Sculpture en Argent

Gabriel Huquier , 1745

Dousieme livre des Oeuvres de J. A. Messonnier [<i>sic</i>] Livre de Chandeliers de Sculpture en Argent is a print by the Baroque artist Gabriel Huquier. It dates from 1745 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The print is a plate from the second volume of *Dousieme livre des Oeuvres de J.

About this work

Overview

The print is a plate from the second volume of *Dousieme livre des Oeuvres de J. A. Messonnier, Livre de Chandeliers de Sculpture en Argent*. It depicts two ornamental silver candlesticks, rendered in black‑and‑white line work that emphasizes their three‑dimensional form.

Subject & Meaning

Both designs function as studies of elaborate silver candelabra. The larger piece resembles a tall, twisted vase adorned with scrolling foliage, while the smaller one combines floral motifs with similar spiraled ornamentation, illustrating the decorative potential of metalwork in ceremonial lighting.

Technique & Style

Executed as an engraving, the plate uses fine, incised lines to convey texture and depth, typical of mid‑18th‑century French ornamental prints. The motifs reflect the Baroque taste for dynamic movement, intricate scrolls, and naturalistic foliage.

History & Provenance

The plates were produced after the designs of Juste‑Aurèle Meissonnier, a French goldsmith and architect active in the early 1700s. Published by Chereau, the series appeared in several editions between 1742 and 1750, expanding earlier printed collections of ornamental silver designs.

Context

Meissonnier’s work catered to a market of silversmiths and patrons seeking fashionable decorative models. The printed volumes served as pattern books, disseminating French Baroque aesthetics across Europe and influencing contemporary metalwork and interior decoration.