Decoratie van muur of kooflijst before 1678

Jean Lepautre made this print, "Decoratie van muur of kooflijst," sometime in the 17th century. Its fine lines were achieved through the process of etching, using acid to bite into a metal plate, leaving an impression on the page. Note the incredible amount of work that went into this image. Every mark meticulously placed, the tonal variations achieved through careful control of the etching process. This reminds us that the supposedly effortless elegance of the court was actually built on the foundation of intense, often unseen labor. Although prints like this were relatively accessible, they also served to reinforce social hierarchies, disseminating imagery of power and luxury. This artwork therefore collapses any distinction between "high" art and "mere" decoration, reminding us that all visual culture is deeply embedded in social context.