Chaos (?) 1768 - 1771

"Chaos (?)" (1768 - 1771) is an etching by Jean Charles Delafosse (1734 - 1789), now housed in the Rijksmuseum. This artwork depicts a symbolic scene of a boat, a wreath, and a circular window, all framed within a classical archway. The composition, a mix of symbolic and architectural elements, is characteristic of Delafosse's work, which often explored themes of order and chaos, referencing the ancient world. The piece is a fine example of 18th-century French decorative art and exemplifies the Neoclassical trend that emphasized clarity and rationalism.