Cartouches Nouvellement Inventez par J.B. Toro 1716

This delicate print, "Cartouches Nouvellement Inventez" was made by Jean Bernard Toro in the 18th century. Toro was a draughtsman, and this work gives us a glimpse into the world of design during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King. The print is an etching, meaning that lines were scratched into a coated metal plate, which was then submerged in acid. The longer in the bath, the deeper the lines. This allowed the printer to control the degree of light and shadow across the composition. The subject is an ornate cartouche: an ornamental frame. It's full of classical motifs: putti, trophies, and garlands of foliage. These were the bread and butter of artists like Toro. This print would have been circulated among sculptors, furniture makers, and other tradespeople in Paris, who would then adapt the design for use in wealthy clients' homes. It embodies the skilled labor of both the artist and the artisans who would realize it in three dimensions. It reminds us of how much design mediates the spaces of power and privilege.