Study for an Ornamental Panel 1685 - 1731

Jean Bernard Toro made this ornamental panel study with graphite in the early 18th century. The drawing presents a complex allegory. At its center stands a helmeted figure bearing a spear and shield. Above, a coat of arms is held aloft by cherubic figures. Below, a scene unfolds within an oval frame, possibly depicting a royal ceremony. This kind of drawing would have helped to solidify the image of the monarchy in the minds of the French people. Ornamental panels such as this were installed in both public and private buildings to remind the people of the power and strength of the French aristocracy, which had been solidified by Louis the XIV. To fully understand the context of this drawing, a historian might consider the architecture of the time, which featured ornamentation that glorified the aristocracy. We might also consult period documents that shed light on the social and political climate in which Toro was working.