Medaillons met bloemen, meetinstrumenten en vlaggen 1778

Pierre Gabriel Berthault created this print, Medaillons met bloemen, meetinstrumenten en vlaggen, sometime in the late 18th century. It is an intricate study in form and balance, organized into a structured grid that presents six distinct medallion designs. Each medallion is uniquely adorned with a mix of floral arrangements, scientific instruments, and flags. Berthault explores the interplay between organic and geometric shapes, softening the rigidity of the frames with naturalistic floral motifs, and contrasting the precision of instruments with the flowing banners. This juxtaposition invites us to consider how these symbols of nature, science, and nationhood interact. Look closely at how the artist uses delicate lines to convey texture and depth. This print doesn’t just decorate; it engages with the Enlightenment era’s fascination with categorizing knowledge and celebrating human achievement. The medallions thus become more than decorative frames; they are emblems of a world striving for order and understanding.