Schenkkan met bacchanaal c. 1650 - 1664

Jean Lepautre made this print of a jug, or 'Schenkkan met bacchanaal', in the 17th century. It’s made with engraving, a process involving precise cuts into a metal plate. Now, this isn't your average pitcher; it’s a riotous display of ornament. Bacchanaal refers to a drunken revelry in honor of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, which certainly appears to be what's going on here. Notice the abundance of figures, foliage, and twisting forms – all rendered with painstaking detail by the engraver's hand. Lepautre was one of the leading designers of his day, producing prints that served as inspiration for artisans across Europe. It's fascinating to consider the labor involved in creating such a complex design, and then translating it into a functional object. This print gives us a glimpse into the world of luxury goods and the skilled craftsmanship that underpinned it. It blurs the line between fine art and design.