Zes bekroonde cartouches met lettermonogrammen (ACK-AOP) c. 1690 - 1691

Curator: Looking at this print, it feels almost like stumbling upon a sheet of secret emblems. Editor: Absolutely. We’re looking at “Zes bekroonde cartouches met lettermonogrammen (ACK-AOP),” or “Six crowned cartouches with letter monograms (ACK-AOP),” created around 1690-1691 by Daniel de Lafeuille. It's a pen drawing, etching, and engraving, showcasing six distinct cartouches. Curator: My first impression? Regal, playful… Baroque with a wink. I see crowns, cherubs, and these wildly ornate letterforms, all fighting for attention, but somehow they work together. Like a fancy royal party where everyone's trying to out-dress each other. Editor: I agree about the Baroque dynamism. De Lafeuille really maximizes the impact of each monogram. Notice how he uses the graphic elements—the line weight, the shading—to give each cartouche its unique identity. There is the careful articulation within a compact circular structure. Curator: It's fascinating how each monogram is nestled in its own little universe. Some have these cute chubby cherubs holding them up like prized possessions, others are flanked by fantastical beasts. It’s as if each represents a whole family history. Do you think these were custom-made? Editor: Possibly. Letter monograms like these were often commissioned for personal use—think of seals or marking possessions. The inclusion of heraldic elements certainly implies status. Curator: So it's design but with such a clear intention! It reminds me a little of dreaming up my own crest. A giant squid hugging a paintbrush, maybe? Editor: Very baroque of you! Thinking about Daniel de Lafeuille's world, though, it shows how design was an important form of self-expression for the elite. These monograms declared identity through style, materials, and of course heraldic imagery. Curator: I think I will spend the rest of the day coming up with my logo; this image got the creativity flowing. Editor: A worthwhile venture inspired by this elegant convergence of typography, heraldry, and imagination.