Vaas met slangen 1755 - 1768

This image depicts a vase with snakes, made by L.N. Percenet sometime in the 18th century. The print exemplifies the fascination with classical antiquity that characterized European art during that period. The vase itself is based on ancient Greek and Roman forms. The snakes, of course, allude to the Medusa, whose image was often used to ward off evil. But such imagery also served to communicate the erudition and taste of the collector. The print comes from a period when academies were becoming increasingly important in shaping artistic taste and production. Artists were trained to follow the conventions of classical art, which were seen as the epitome of beauty and order. This image embodies a conservative aesthetic that favored tradition and decorum, but also shows a changing institutional framework in the arts. Understanding this historical context allows us to appreciate the print not just as a representation of a vase, but as an object deeply embedded in the artistic and social values of its time. Researchers can explore the print collections of museums, consult period journals and treatises, and consider the biographies of the artists and patrons involved.