Design for the Base of a Crucifix, Plate 1 from: 'Neü inventierte Crucifix= Stöcke' 1745 - 1755

This etching by Jacob Gottlieb Thelot, dating from 1745-1755, presents a design for the base of a crucifix. The elaborate, asymmetrical design features a large, swirling form with delicate flourishes and a cherub at its center. The artist's use of Rococo motifs, characterized by intricate ornamentation and delicate curves, creates a sense of opulence and grandeur, typical of the style. The artwork exemplifies the Rococo aesthetic, popular in the 18th century for its playful and graceful qualities, particularly in decorative arts and furniture design. The etching is likely a plate from a larger collection of designs for crucifixes, intended for the use of woodcarvers and other craftspeople during the period.