Plafond met Aurora 1661

This is ‘Plafond met Aurora’, an engraving made by Jean Lepautre, a French designer and engraver, sometime in the 17th century. The print offers a dizzying display of ornament, typical of baroque sensibilities. At the top left, the figure of Aurora tips a vase that gushes water over a bed of flowers. The eye moves across complex border ornament to the right and downward to the lower registers, taking in scenes of classical figures within circular frames. The entire composition is a study in frames within frames. It is carefully structured, yet the visual effect is one of abundance. The black and white medium heightens the contrast, emphasizing the textures and patterns. The structural complexity of the design reflects the cultural values of the era, where ornamentation was a signifier of power and sophistication. Consider the role of this type of artwork. It functioned as a kind of template for artisans and patrons, who could use the images as inspiration for decorating their own homes and palaces. Lepautre's print thus operates at the intersection of art, design and social practice. It encapsulates a world where art was intrinsically connected to daily life, reflecting and shaping the cultural values of its time.