Pattern in black on a white ground. On a pedestal is a vase with bunches of grapes... 1703 - 1712

This ornate design was made by Daniël Marot, a French-born designer working in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It's a print, meaning that the image was likely incised into a metal plate, inked, and then transferred to paper. The visual effect here relies on a stark contrast between black and white, creating a complex, symmetrical pattern. This highly stylized image is teeming with motifs of classical urns, grape bunches, birds and foliage. Marot was known for bringing French Baroque design to other parts of Europe, particularly the Netherlands and England. Prints like this one were often used as source material for artisans. Furniture makers, weavers, and other craftspeople would adapt these designs to their own materials and techniques. So, while this print is a work of art in its own right, it's also a testament to the flow of ideas and the vital role of skilled labor in bringing designs to life across different media.