Title Page: Desmarets de Saint-Sorlin, L'Office de la Vierge Marie 1645

This engraving, “Title Page: Desmarets de Saint-Sorlin, L'Office de la Vierge Marie,” by Claude Mellan, is a striking example of Baroque decorative art. The central circular frame, framed by an elaborate laurel wreath and a cherub, was meant to be filled with text. Mellan was a master of the engraving technique, using a single continuous line to create intricate details in the foliage and figure. This technique is a hallmark of his artistic style and makes the piece both elegant and visually striking. The title page was originally created for a work by the French poet, Desmarets de Saint-Sorlin.