Wand in de kamer van de prinses van Rohan in Hôtel de Soubise 1859

This engraving by Alphonse Guilletat depicts the wall in the princess of Rohan’s room in Hôtel de Soubise, presenting the height of Louis XV style. Notice the intricate details of the room's design, brought to life through the skilled use of engraving techniques. This method, involving carving into a metal plate to hold ink, mirrors the meticulous labor of the artisans who originally crafted the room's ornate decorations. The profusion of gilded carving celebrates the wealth and power of the aristocracy, while also hinting at the huge amount of labor required to produce it. Consider the social context of the Hôtel de Soubise, a site of political power and social spectacle. The room’s design emphasizes both privacy and display, showing the contradictions inherent in courtly life. The emphasis on ornamentation – repeated in patterns of carving, plasterwork, and textiles – speaks to a culture of conspicuous consumption. Engravings like this were not just documentation but also circulated taste, influencing design trends across Europe. By focusing on the materiality and making of this room, we gain insight into the society and aesthetics of the time.