Meleager and Atalanta 1643

François Chauveau made this print, "Meleager and Atalanta," in France sometime in the 17th century. The image depicts a scene from Greek mythology, but it speaks to Chauveau’s own time. The figures of Meleager and Atalanta, along with the inclusion of putti and classical statuary, evoke the revival of classical ideals during the Baroque era. France in the 1600s was under the influence of King Louis XIV, whose patronage shaped the art world. The French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, established in 1648, codified artistic standards and promoted classical themes as a reflection of royal power and taste. Chauveau, as an engraver and illustrator, often worked on projects that aligned with these academic and royal interests. This print would have been made for a wealthy collector to show off their taste for the classics and their sophisticated understanding of art. Art historians study prints like these alongside letters, literature, and institutional records to understand the complex web of cultural and political influences at play.