Trumeau met Jason en putti op rammen 1670 - 1678

This is an engraving by Jean Berain, titled 'Trumeau with Jason and putti on rams.' Berain was a designer during the reign of Louis XIV, deeply influenced by the theatricality of court life and the pervasive presence of classical mythology. Jason, a hero in Greek mythology, whose quest for the Golden Fleece is a story of bravery, ambition, and betrayal. Here, the image of Jason isn’t merely decorative; it reflects the values of the court, where displays of power and virtue were paramount. But there is an emotional complexity, too, in seeing figures like Jason, celebrated in such formal settings, while acknowledging the less palatable aspects of the narratives. The putti riding rams suggests themes of innocence and power, a reminder of the period's complex social dynamics. The decorative framework, intended to adorn a trumeau, a space above a fireplace, illustrates how art was integrated into everyday life. The combination of classical themes with domestic settings highlights the period's ambition to ennoble daily existence through art.