Console met masker 1772 - 1779

This print, "Console met masker," was made by Jean Pelletier in France in the eighteenth century using etching. This image presents a series of architectural console designs, each adorned with a mask. Looking at these meticulously rendered designs, we can imagine them adorning the homes of the wealthy French elite. During this era, France was a society deeply divided by class, with the aristocracy enjoying immense privilege and luxury. Art became a tool for the elite to affirm their power and status. It is interesting to note that these consoles, with their classical motifs, echo the ideals of the Enlightenment that were flourishing in France at the time. But it is an open question whether the art was a genuine expression of progressive ideals or a superficial attempt to justify their continued dominance. To understand this work better, one might delve into the archives of French architectural history, studying the social contexts in which these designs were commissioned and used.