Medaillon c. 1650 - 1670

This print of a medallion, filled with birds, flowers and vases, was made by Jacques Vauquer in the 17th century. It's an engraving, meaning that the artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into a copper plate, which was then inked and printed. The appeal of prints like this one was their relative cheapness, compared to unique works of art. This one is not trying to imitate painting; instead, the tight network of lines creates a compelling world of its own. It speaks to the democratization of design during this period, when new kinds of images became available to a broader public than ever before. We might think of this medallion as a kind of industrial product, made possible by skilled labor, but intended for widespread consumption. It’s a reminder that even seemingly decorative objects can be deeply connected to the social and economic forces of their time.