Drie ontwerpen voor ornamentele cartouches c. 1725 - 1750

These three designs for ornamental cartouches were created by Gabriel Huquier sometime between the late 17th and early 18th century. During this time, ornamental prints served as guides for artisans, particularly in the decorative arts, and were instrumental in spreading artistic styles across Europe. Huquier, as an engraver and print publisher, played a key role in this dissemination. The designs reflect the opulence and grandeur favored by the aristocracy. The prominence of cherubs and mythological figures speaks to the time period's fascination with classical antiquity, but I am also drawn to the way that the prominence of idealized forms might overshadow everyday realities. What do these images tell us about who was valued in society, and whose stories were told? Does the rigid formality of these designs leave room for new artistic narratives?