Koorhek met vier kariatiden before 1667

This is ‘Koorhek met vier kariatiden’, a print made by Jean Lepautre, an artist working in France during the 17th century. Lepautre created this print during the reign of Louis XIV, a period marked by the consolidation of absolute monarchy and the flourishing of French Baroque culture. The print reflects the era’s embrace of classicism, seen in the symmetrical composition, the caryatids, and the wreaths and busts. This image is not just a picture, but a declaration of power and taste. Reflect on the way this image would have been received by different audiences at the time. For the elite, it mirrored their values and status. For others, it symbolized the unyielding social hierarchies of the time. Note also the distinct absence of persons of color, reflecting the racial and social hierarchies of the time. Ultimately, ‘Koorhek met vier kariatiden’ is a historical capsule, reflecting the societal structures of the time. It reminds us to consider how we memorialize certain histories whilst excluding others.