Fries before 1732

This is a print of two Fries designs, made by an anonymous artist, and held at the Rijksmuseum. Fries like these were intended for use as architectural ornament, common in elite buildings in Europe during the early modern period. Motifs like cupids, vases, and vegetal ornamentation all hark back to classical antiquity, which was undergoing a period of enthusiastic revival in the 17th and 18th centuries. This particular work, made in the Netherlands, draws on international trends in design and taste, while also catering to the demands of a local clientele. As an art historian, I want to think about the institutional forces that shaped the production and reception of such images. Prints like these were crucial in spreading artistic ideas and motifs across Europe, as they were relatively cheap to produce and could be easily disseminated. By studying pattern books, architectural treatises, and other archival sources, we can better understand the social and economic context in which this print was made, as well as its role in shaping the visual culture of its time.