Paneel met medaillon en hoornen des overvloeds 1772 - 1779

Jean Pelletier created this print of a panel with a medallion and cornucopias, using etching, around the late 18th century. During this time, France was on the cusp of revolution, and art often served as a means to express social ideals. Pelletier's panel design, with its classical motifs, embodies the era's fascination with antiquity and the pursuit of idealized beauty. Consider the symbolism here: the cornucopias, or horns of plenty, traditionally represent abundance and nourishment. In a society marked by stark economic disparities, images of overflowing bounty take on a particular resonance. Who gets access to this abundance? How is it distributed? And who is left out? The blank medallion invites reflection on identity, perhaps as a mirror to see yourself represented in this image of opulence. This panel is more than just a decorative design; it's a lens through which we might examine the complex relationship between art, aspiration, and the realities of 18th-century French society.