Kabinet met twee deuren before 1716

This is an engraving of a cabinet with two doors, made by Jean Lepautre in the 17th century. Lepautre was an important figure in the history of French ornament, particularly known for his engravings that popularized the Louis XIV style. His prints were widely circulated and served as inspiration for craftsmen across Europe, and were crucial to setting the tone for the decorative arts of his era. This print, like many others, was not necessarily made in direct connection to the object it represents. Rather, it served as a kind of template. The dense array of surface embellishment - the swags, figures, and classical motifs - could be reinterpreted in infinite ways, adapted by woodworkers and other artisans to suit specific commissions. What Lepautre offered was not just a design, but a set of instructions for luxury. We might even see these engravings as an early form of industrial design: mass-produced images intended for bespoke outcomes.