Compositie met kariatiden 1697 - 1724

Gottfried Stein created this print, Compositie met kariatiden, in the eighteenth century, using etching and engraving. The design presents an elaborate architectural panel. This ornamental print gives us insight into the visual culture of eighteenth-century Europe. The symmetrical composition, classical motifs, and ornate details reflect the period’s fascination with antiquity and the Baroque aesthetic that dominated artistic tastes. Prints like these circulated widely, serving as models for artisans and architects. They demonstrate the institutional power of art academies and workshops of the time, which standardized artistic styles and disseminated them through print culture. As art historians, we investigate archives, period writings, and collections of decorative arts to reconstruct this world. We can better understand the social function of art in shaping elite taste and reinforcing cultural norms.