Vier rijen friezen before 1716

Jean Lepautre produced this print of friezes during the Baroque period in France. The sheet presents a series of ornamental designs, showcasing the period's interest in elaborate decoration. Visual codes and cultural references in the friezes suggest the aspirations of the French court. The inclusion of classical motifs—garlands, cherubs, and mythological figures—harks back to the grandeur of ancient Rome, something that Louis XIV was keen to emulate. The ‘privilege du Roy’ inscription indicates royal patronage, highlighting the institutional framework supporting the arts. France at this time was a society strictly divided by class. This print offered a way for those outside the court to engage with its aesthetic values and perhaps express their own social ambitions. By studying prints like this alongside documents from the period, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural dynamics and social structures that defined 17th-century France.