Twee schenkkannen before 1718

Jean Lepautre created this print of two ornamental ewers, sometime in the 17th century. Lepautre was a designer and engraver whose ornate and fantastical images shaped French decorative arts during the reign of Louis XIV. During this period, France was establishing itself as a cultural leader in Europe. Prints like these served as aspirational models for wealthy patrons and artisans alike. The ewers are adorned with classical figures, referencing ancient Greece and Rome, embodying ideals of power and refinement. Yet, they are also crowded, grotesque even. Take note of the contrast between the ewers’ grandiose displays of wealth and the subdued portrayal of the commoners who admire them in the background. Lepautre's prints highlight the ways in which luxury objects reflect societal status, but also how such objects contribute to the construction of cultural identity. They catered to the desires of an elite class, and this print offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between art, power, and social identity in 17th-century France.