Titelblad til "Pastoraler" 1667

Claudine Bouzonnet Stella created this print, the title page for "Pastoraler," in Paris in 1667. It depicts a classical fountain flanked by garden tools and sculptures of river gods. The image is rich with references to both classical antiquity and the contemporary French court. The "pastoral" theme, evoking idealized rural life, was popular among the aristocracy as a form of escapism from the complexities of courtly life. The sculptures and architectural elements reflect the influence of classical art, which was experiencing a revival at the time through institutions such as the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture. The inscription indicates that Stella operated her workshop within the Louvre, highlighting the connection between artistic production and royal patronage. By examining archival sources such as royal inventories, exhibition catalogs, and artists' biographies, we can better understand the social and institutional contexts that shaped Stella's work and its reception by contemporary audiences.