Kast met vazen 1772 - 1779

Philibert Boutrois produced this print of a cabinet with vases, or ‘Kast met vazen’, using etching. The print presents an idealised cabinet for a fashionable interior, with its symmetrical design, classical references and delicate ornamentation. This kind of design catered to the tastes of the French aristocracy and bourgeoisie during the reign of Louis XVI. It promoted a style of refined elegance and luxury, and in doing so, reinforced social hierarchies. It's worth noting that the ‘Académie Royale d’Architecture’ had a strong influence at the time, setting standards for architectural design and taste. Prints like this circulated widely among artisans and patrons, solidifying the norms of elite taste. By examining the social and institutional context in which the artwork was made, using sources like period treatises on design, architectural drawings, and inventories of aristocratic collections, we can better understand its meanings. These approaches remind us that art is never created in a vacuum.