Cartouche met guirlande 1712

This print, *Cartouche met guirlande*, was created by Jean Duvivier, sometime between 1702 and 1761. Duvivier lived during the height of the Enlightenment; a period that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism. As such, his work often contains both naturalistic and rational elements, reflecting a broader cultural movement towards empirical observation. Consider the symbolism of the cartouche itself: it's an empty frame, awaiting content. What stories are permitted within its boundaries, and whose narratives are excluded? Its elaborate design, with its emphasis on symmetry and classical motifs, underscores the hierarchical nature of representation and the ways in which power is manifested through decorative arts.