Diverse ornamenten 1820

Pierre-Nicolas Beauvallet produced this sketch called Diverse ornamenten, which pictures a number of classical ornaments and figures, at an unknown date. The image shows sketches of acanthus leaves, urns, classical figures, and other decorative elements. These were intended for use in interior decoration. The revival of classical forms gained prominence in the 18th century, particularly in France, in reaction to the more elaborate Baroque and Rococo styles. Beauvallet here seems to present us with a lexicon for that revival. The Neoclassical style drew inspiration from the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. This aesthetic movement was often associated with the values of reason, order, and civic virtue. We can consider this image as part of the visual culture of the Enlightenment, expressing a desire to return to what was perceived as a purer, more rational aesthetic. Art historians rely on sources such as pattern books, architectural treatises, and social histories to understand how visual culture responds to, and shapes, societal values.