Koorstoel tussen twee zuilen after 1666

Jean Le Pautre created this print, "Koorstoel tussen twee zuilen," during the Baroque period. It depicts a choir stall, framed dramatically by columns and heavy drapery. Lepautre, who served Louis XIV, was instrumental in defining French Baroque ornament. His work reflects the era's focus on grandeur, and the power of the monarchy and the church. Consider the emotional impact of this design; it's meant to inspire awe. Prints like these were crucial in disseminating architectural and design ideas, reflecting and shaping the tastes of the elite. Look closely at the figures flanking the stall; these idealized forms reflect the classical revival, yet they're presented in a way that reinforces existing hierarchies. Lepautre's precise lines and attention to detail invite us into a world of opulence, yet the image also prompts reflection on the social structures that such grandeur upheld.