Vijftien ornamenten c. 17th century

Daniel de Lafeuille created this print, titled *Vijftien ornamenten,* sometime during the late 17th century. It is a set of designs that show the fashion for ornamentation at the time. In this period, Western European culture was increasingly shaped by the tastes of the aristocracy. These tastes trickled down through society by way of prints like this one. Ornamentation was used to create a sense of luxury, status, and access to power. Notice the vase in the lower center of the sheet. It shows a landscape scene with classical figures in the style of antiquity. The symmetry and precise execution of the designs speak to the period's desire to control and order the natural world. The cherubic figures are idealized to the point of being stripped of any sense of individuality or humanity. It’s interesting to think about the aspirations and social values that these designs embodied, and how they reflect both a personal and collective sense of identity.