Marquette

/mɑrˈkɛt/ noun

Definition

A small preliminary model or maquette used by artists and architects to study proportions and design. Also refers to places named after French explorer Jacques Marquette.

Etymology

From French maquette, diminutive of Italian macchia meaning 'sketch' or 'spot.' Many places in the American Midwest are named after Jacques Marquette, the 17th-century French Jesuit explorer.

Kelly Says

Marquettes bridge the gap between imagination and reality - artists have used these small-scale models for centuries to work out problems before committing to expensive full-size works. The explorer Marquette's name dots the American landscape because he mapped much of the Great Lakes region.

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