Vignette with the Head of Bacchus on a Cornelian, Tome I, Page 242, from Description des Principales Pierres gravées du Cabinet de S.A.S. Monseigneur le Duc d'Orléans Premier Prince du sang. A Paris chez M. l'abbé de la Chau au Palais-Royal M. l'abbé Le Blond au collége Mazarin Et chez Pissot, libraire, quai des Augustins 1778 - 1780

Augustin de Saint-Aubin created this print, Vignette with the Head of Bacchus on a Cornelian, in France as an illustration within a catalogue describing the engraved gems held in the collection of the Duke of Orléans. The image exemplifies the 18th-century fascination with antiquity, a hallmark of Neoclassical style. Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and revelry, signifies themes of pleasure and abundance, reflecting the aristocratic tastes of the era. The very act of cataloging and displaying such gems speaks to the culture of collecting that flourished among the European elite. Consider the social conditions that enabled such a luxurious pursuit, from the economic structures that supported the aristocracy to the artistic academies that trained engravers like Saint-Aubin. Understanding the art requires that we delve into the archives of aristocratic patronage, the history of collecting, and the visual culture of 18th-century France.