Frontispiece to La Muse Historique 1656

François Chauveau's 1656 engraving "Frontispiece to La Muse Historique" features an allegorical depiction of history, symbolized by a winged female figure holding a tablet depicting historical scenes, and a seated woman writing. The print served as the frontispiece to the book "La Muse Historique" which was a collection of poems and letters. Chauveau was a prominent French artist of the 17th century, known for his engravings and portraiture. This artwork exemplifies the Baroque style popular during this period, employing dramatic poses, strong contrasts of light and shadow, and elaborate details.