Plate Two, from A New Book of Ornaments 1704

Simon Gribelin II created this engraving, Plate Two from A New Book of Ornaments, sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century. This print provides a striking example of the visual vocabulary of power in the age of absolutism. In the center, a portrait sits in a swirling acanthus frame. Two cherubs flank the portrait, and below, we see symbols of war and peace. This visual language suggests the virtues of the ruler are courage and wisdom. Gribelin worked in London, and he was part of a large influx of French Huguenots, many of whom were skilled artisans. Religious and political institutions often played a role in the movement and acceptance of artists and craftsmen like Gribelin. Prints like this were sold as models for other craftsmen, such as silversmiths and jewelers. By examining prints, documents, and other historical sources, we can better understand the networks through which images and ideas circulated in the early modern period.