Three angels carrying Gideon's fleece; from 'Recueil d'estampes d'après les plus beaux tableaux et d'après les plus beaux desseins qui sont en France, Cabinet Crozat' after a drawing by Orazi 1724 - 1769

This print, made by Anne Claude Philippe Caylus, reproduces a drawing of angels with Gideon's fleece. It was part of a collection of engravings made after drawings and paintings held in France's most prestigious private collections. The "Cabinet Crozat", as it was known, was one of the most important collections of its time. The aim of this series of prints was to make the collection available to a wider audience, thus democratizing access to great art, but also cementing the status of these artworks and their collector. The image itself, with its soft lines and ethereal figures, reflects the refined tastes of the French aristocracy of the 18th century. Art history, like any history, depends on having access to primary resources. In this case, we might want to consult inventories of the Crozat collection and other period documents to gain more insight into the print’s audience and reception.