Schouw met twee geketende gevangenen 1658 - 1670

Jean Lepautre created this print, ‘Schouw met twee geketende gevangenen,’ using etching. This intaglio process involves coating a metal plate with wax, drawing into it with a sharp needle, and then bathing it in acid. The acid bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. Here, Lepautre demonstrates complete mastery, deploying line of varying density to create a convincing illusion of depth and form. The print’s primary subject, a fireplace, is laden with ornament, its columns, garlands, and figurative sculpture all rendered in astonishing detail. Note the muscular figures, slumped in defeat as they sit chained over the firebox. Lepautre’s virtuosity gives us insight into the culture of the French court during the reign of Louis XIV, a period known for its extravagant display of wealth and power. The print suggests the labor involved in the production of elite interiors, and the politics of subjugation necessary to maintain it. The etching process itself, demanding careful planning and skillful execution, mirrors the broader dynamics of artistic production in the service of social dominance.