Album met cartouches door Charles Mavelot 1685

This album with cartouches was made by Charles Mavelot around the turn of the 18th century. The album's cover is a tactile invitation, isn’t it? Bound in red leather, with ‘Cartouches par Mavelot’ emblazoned in gold leaf, it speaks of luxury. Leather-making, from tanning to tooling, was labor-intensive, involving specialized skills passed down through generations. The rich red hue was achieved through careful dyeing, while the application of gold leaf required precision and a steady hand. This wasn't merely bookbinding; it was an act of conspicuous consumption, signaling the owner's social standing. The cartouches themselves, ornamental frames for text or images, reflect the aesthetic preferences of the time. Consider the social context of production. While Mavelot's name is proudly displayed, anonymous artisans likely contributed to the album's creation. The contrast between the artist's recognized authorship and the obscured labor of those who physically crafted the object invites reflection on the hierarchies of the art world.