Console met masker 1772 - 1779

This design for a console, complete with mask, was made by Jean Pelletier around the 18th century, using etching. The stark contrast between the lines and negative space gives the piece a crisp, architectural feel that is reminiscent of neoclassical design. Pelletier most likely used metal plates to produce this etching, which were carefully engraved, and then inked to transfer the design onto paper. As a print, it is intrinsically linked to reproducibility, and would have made these intricate designs more accessible to a wider audience. This piece gives us a window into the aesthetics of the time, and speaks volumes about the culture and the consumption of design in the 1700s. It reminds us that every work of art is deeply embedded in its historical and economic context.