Ornament met mascaron en hoornen des overvloeds 1683 - 1733

Bernard Picart created this ornament with mascaron and cornucopias sometime between 1683 and 1733 using etching. During this time, Europe’s elite was consumed by lavish display. Ornamentation wasn't merely decorative; it was a language of power, communicating status, taste, and cultural values. Picart, as an engraver, was instrumental in disseminating this visual language. Here, the cornucopias overflowing with flowers symbolize abundance and prosperity. But consider too, the implications of such opulence. Who gets to enjoy this abundance, and at whose expense? The mascaron, a grotesque face, hints at the complex relationship between beauty and the grotesque. It is a reminder of the social and economic disparities of the time and compels us to reflect on the complex layers of history embedded in this seemingly simple ornament.