Design for a Wall Monument 1690 - 1723

René Charpentier made this drawing for a wall monument using pen and brown ink in France at the turn of the 18th century. We see a design that speaks to the institutional role of art in memorializing power and status. Executed during the reign of Louis XIV, this drawing embodies the visual codes of absolutist rule, blending religious and classical allusions to legitimize the monarchy. Two cherubic figures adorn a pedestal bearing a portrait, likely intended for a member of the aristocracy or the royal family. The monument design, with its ornate details, reflects the Baroque aesthetic embraced by the French court. This style served as a tool for projecting royal power through architecture and decorative arts. To fully appreciate this drawing, we can consult period treatises on design, architectural plans, and records of royal commissions. These resources can shed light on the social and institutional context in which Charpentier operated. It is through careful consideration of these resources that we come to understand the monument as an expression of cultural and political ideals.