The Castellan Tomb in Saint Germain-des-Prés 1700 - 1724

Jean Chafourier created this pen and brown ink drawing with gray wash on laid paper, imagining "The Castellan Tomb in Saint Germain-des-Prés," sometime in the early 18th century. The image displays the grand, if morbid, tastes of the French Aristocracy. The elaborate design reflects the Baroque style favored by the French court at the time. Notice the dramatic columns, ornate carvings, and allegorical figures of skeletons and angels. These visual codes speak to the era’s fascination with death and the afterlife. The image's cultural references to classical antiquity, combined with Christian symbolism, speaks to the way powerful institutions such as the church shaped artistic expression. By examining church records, aristocratic genealogies, and art academy archives, we can further understand how patronage and social status influenced the production and reception of such designs. These resources reveal the intricate web of power, religion, and artistic ambition that defined the era.