Paneel met vrouwenbuste in nis 1657

This panel with a woman's bust in a niche was etched by Jean Lepautre sometime in the 17th century. Lepautre was a designer and engraver who was active during the reign of Louis XIV. He was known for his ornamental and architectural prints. This print exemplifies the Baroque style which was popular at the time and often deployed by the monarchy. It is teeming with symbolism, particularly around gender and power. In the center is a woman's bust, presented in a niche like a classical statue. Above the bust is a fantastical creature that seems to be a hybrid of female breasts and male satyr faces. And below, two male figures flank what appears to be a fountain. Consider how gender is constructed here, and how women are elevated to an almost mythological status. At the same time, the emphasis on ornamentation and grandeur reflects the values of the court. It also serves to reinforce a rigid social hierarchy. This print asks us to reflect on how notions of beauty, gender, and power were intertwined during the Baroque period.