Trofeeën met ruitersattributen 1772 - 1779

Pierre Gabriel Berthault made this print of trophies with equestrian equipment using etching, sometime in the late 1700s. The Enlightenment in France saw the rise of new academies and institutions devoted to the study and appreciation of art. Art was seen as having a public role in shaping civic virtue. Berthault's print engages with these ideas through the visual language of the time, using classical motifs to ennoble everyday objects. Each of the six images shows arrangements of items associated with country life, hunting, and riding, such as fishing rods, saddles, and farming tools. They are presented as though they are ancient trophies, framed by laurel leaves. Berthault’s detailed knowledge and skillful rendering of each object provides us with information about French material culture in the 18th century. Prints like this one were often collected in albums and could serve as inspiration for artisans and designers. To fully understand this image, we can look at prints and drawings, but also consult trade and design publications. These resources help to show how art is shaped by the social and institutional context in which it is made.