Koorhek met open deur before 1667

Jean Lepautre created this print titled 'Koorhek met open deur' – or 'Chancel screen with open door' – sometime in the 17th century. Lepautre made many such engravings, feeding the appetite of the French aristocracy for lavish interior design. Beyond the aesthetics, this piece gives insight into the power dynamics of the time. The chancel screen was a physical barrier which separated the clergy from the laity, reinforcing social hierarchy and restricting access to religious rituals. The open door within Lepautre's design is a curious detail. Does it represent a shift in religious attitudes, perhaps hinting at the questioning of traditional authority? Or is it merely a design flourish, intended to showcase the possibilities of decorative art? The classical female figures flanking the doorway further complicate the narrative. Are they guarding access, or do they stand as symbols of a more enlightened era? Ultimately, Lepautre’s print presents a vision of opulence intertwined with complex social and religious undertones.