Omlijstingen met wapens 1778

Pierre Gabriel Berthault created these ‘Omlijstingen met wapens’ or framing designs with weapons, sometime around the late 18th century, using etching. The image presents two distinct frame designs, each adorned with decorative elements like flowers, ribbons and weaponry. Born in the midst of the Enlightenment, Berthault navigated a society undergoing profound transformation. As the French aristocracy enjoyed lavish displays of wealth and power, the seeds of revolution were being sown among the working classes. We see that tension in these designs. The intricate floral patterns and delicate ribbons evoke a sense of refinement, while the inclusion of weapons hints at the underlying power structures of the time. Were these frames intended to glorify military prowess, or to soften its impact through aestheticization? Consider how these symbols interact: does this artwork maintain traditional representations of power, or does it develop alternative narratives? In our contemporary context, Berthault’s designs invite reflection on the ways in which beauty and violence are often intertwined in visual culture.