Muurdecoratie met schilderij van Aeneas en Anchises 1661

Jean Lepautre created this print of a wall decoration with a painting of Aeneas and Anchises in the 17th century. This was a period defined by rigid social structures, and the consolidation of royal power, particularly in France under Louis XIV. Here, Lepautre illustrates an interior design that is less about domestic comfort and more about projecting power and status. The mythological scene depicted within the panel shows Aeneas carrying his father, Anchises, away from the burning city of Troy. It presents a narrative of duty and sacrifice – values that were central to the aristocratic identity of the time. The busts on either side are probably those of Roman emperors, emphasizing a connection to a noble and powerful past. What we see here isn’t just decoration; it’s a carefully constructed environment designed to convey a message of legitimacy and authority. It reminds us that even something as seemingly benign as interior design can be deeply intertwined with the politics of identity.