Nicolas Verrien: Father of French Monograms

Nicolas Verrien was an 18th century French Master artist and designer who drew les chiffres or monograms. His elaborate calligraphic writing inspired countless wedding invitation emblems and set the stage for the now infamous ‘interlocked’ 3 initial monogram. He worked and lived in the Paris of Louis XIV and Louis XV between 1685 – 1724, at the height of the French monarchy and Enlightenment. His exquisitely detailed monograms were typically used by artists ranging from goldsmiths, painters, locksmiths to sculptors. If you are in New York City, it is worth a trip to visit some of his work at the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum.