Titelblad: Nouueaux desseins de Cheminées a peu de Frais c. 1710

Jean Lepautre created this print, "Nouveaux desseins de Cheminées a peu de Frais," translating to new designs for low-cost fireplaces, in Paris in the 17th century. During this period in France, interior design and architectural elements like fireplaces were not just functional; they reflected social status and cultural aspirations. Lepautre’s designs catered to a growing market of individuals who wanted to emulate the opulence of the aristocracy but with a more modest budget. This engraving isn't merely a guide to affordable design, but a window into the class dynamics of the time, where even the middle class sought to participate in the visual language of power. The cherubs adorning the fireplace suggest a desire to incorporate themes of innocence, love, and classical beauty into domestic life, which were highly valued. Ultimately, Lepautre's fireplace designs, were aspirational objects that mirror the shifting social landscape of 17th-century France.