Wijwaterbak 1667

This print, titled "Wijwaterbak," or Holy Water Font was made by Jean Lepautre in France during the 17th century. The image depicts the Assumption of Mary surrounded by an ornate border of angels, cherubs, and foliage, all rendered with the fine detail that etching allows. In France at this time, the Catholic Church was a major patron of the arts and religious imagery like this served to reinforce its power and influence. The print's function as a design for a holy water font suggests the importance of ritual and devotion in everyday life. Lepautre was a designer and engraver who specialized in decorative prints for an aristocratic clientele. His work reflects the Baroque style that dominated French art at the time. To understand this print fully, scholars might consult sources on the history of the Catholic Church in France, the development of Baroque art, and the social function of religious imagery.