Diverses Pieces de Serruriers, page 7 (recto) 1658 - 1668

Curator: Here we have "Diverses Pieces de Serruriers, page 7," a pen and ink drawing by Jean Berain, created sometime between 1658 and 1668. It's currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the opulence, but there is also a certain restraint. The tight lines of the penwork create a delicate and intricate design. I am trying to read it and decode this ornamental structure. Curator: Berain was a designer, and this page is one of a series of engravings showcasing designs for metalwork. You can see this Baroque style flourishes here – swirly acanthus leaves and stylized figures. It really encapsulates the era's love of ornamentation. Editor: The figures, the allegorical creatures almost hidden amongst the leaves and scrolls... there is a kind of mythology alive within it. Given that this would be replicated in metal, did that alter the cultural meaning or accessibility of the images? Were these displays of wealth accessible to everyone or designed just for the few who commissioned the artwork? Curator: Well, that's a key aspect to consider. The symbolic meaning embedded in this artwork carries potent information. I'd say it was definitely targeted to wealthier clientele, where the meaning and design are communicating and mirroring social class. In effect, they acted as emblems of prestige and cultural sophistication, perpetuating hierarchies of status. Editor: Right. This seemingly decorative sheet thus becomes an instrument for encoding, displaying, and reinforcing the period's power dynamics. I think this is fascinating to realize that art is deeply connected with political history. Thank you. Curator: Thank you for that reading of the piece and raising awareness of how ornamentation interacts with broader power dynamics.