Titelblad: Livre d' Architecture et d' Autels before 1643

This is the title page of "Livre d' Architecture et d' Autels," an etching made in Paris in 1633 by Abraham Bosse. It advertises a book on the design of altars and fireplaces, dedicating it to Cardinal Richelieu. It’s fascinating to consider the role of religious and aristocratic patronage in the arts during this period. Artists and architects relied on commissions from powerful figures like Richelieu, and publications like this one served as both a portfolio and a means of disseminating new styles. Bosse was also connected to the French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture; his career reveals the institutional structures that shaped artistic production. The image itself presents a miniaturized architectural structure, replete with classical columns, angelic figures, and decorative elements. This reflects the prevailing aesthetic of the Baroque era, with its emphasis on grandeur and theatricality. But it also served as a demonstration of the architect's expertise, advertising the skills available within his studio. To fully understand this image, a historian could delve into the archives of the French Royal Academy or study the financial records of Richelieu's patronage, revealing the complex relationship between art, power, and the institutions that governed them.