Nicolas Guérard

Nicolas Guérard is documented as an artist active circa 1710, specializing in the production of instructional prints related to ornamentation and design principles.

Eight prints by Guérard are represented in museum collections, confirming the artist’s significance in early 18th-century European printmaking. These works are notably held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The documented prints include a significant portion of the plates from his instructional volume, including Plate 2, Plate 3, Plate 4, Plate 5, and Plate 6 of Livre Nouveau de Prinsipes D'Ornemens, tres facil. Pour apprendre a Dessigner. This series emphasizes essential elements for learning to draw and design.

The surviving collection of Nicolas Guérard prints provides detailed insight into the design pedagogy of the era. Due to their age, these original prints are now considered valuable museum-quality reference material and are frequently available as downloadable artwork for scholars studying historical design methods. The status of these early 18th-century works in the public domain ensures broad access to Guérard's contributions to ornamental etching.