Two Designs for Doors, one at Versailles and one at the Hotel Cavois in Paris, plate II from the Series 'Portes a Placard et Lambris', published as part of 'L'Architecture à la Mode' 1618 - 1682

This engraving by Jean Le Pautre presents two door designs, one for Versailles and another for the Hôtel Cavois in Paris. Published as part of a series titled 'L'Architecture à la Mode,' this print offers a glimpse into the aesthetic values of 17th-century France. Looking closer, we see the visual codes of wealth and power in the symmetrical designs and classical ornamentation. Made during the reign of Louis XIV, these designs reflect the king's ambition to establish France as the center of European culture and politics. The Palace of Versailles, in particular, became a stage for performances of power, and even the smallest details of its architecture were carefully designed to project an image of grandeur. Understanding this image requires delving into the history of the French monarchy and its cultural institutions. Architectural treatises, design books, and royal records can all help us to understand the social conditions that shaped these designs. By situating these doors within their social context, we can gain a richer understanding of their meaning and significance.