Titelpagina voor: C. Perrault, Le Cabinet des Beaux Arts, ou Recueil Des Plus Belles Estampes, gravées d'aprés les Tableaux Originaux, òu les beaux Arts sont representez, avec l'explication de ces mêmes Tableaux, 1695 1695

Editor: So, here we have the title page for Charles Perrault’s "Le Cabinet des Beaux Arts," from 1695. It's an engraving, with elaborate typography. I’m immediately struck by how formal and decorative it is—all that precise lettering. What do you make of it? Curator: It feels like a peek into a world obsessed with order and beauty. You know, each letter is a small stage, right? Holding its position with utmost dignity, while all together herding into one cohesive thought. But beyond the arrangement, and almost like a dance to me, there's a story begging to be deciphered about Perrault himself. Almost an urge that bubbles up in me: Why did he feel compelled to create this cabinet of art? Editor: A story, huh? What story exactly? Curator: Maybe it’s the story of the late 17th century, the Baroque era and the Age of Enlightenment, all at once. It's not just decoration, you know. Think of Perrault amidst those debates, did art reflect or shape society? The crispness of the engraving, that clear and organized text – wasn't that kind of the answer? The story of organizing the world! Editor: I never thought of typography as a reflection of intellectual movements. Curator: I believe it offers a way of organizing thoughts and showcasing ideals! Look, each era has it's aesthetic signature of reflecting its deepest thoughts and feelings, right? Maybe you and I can see some of our world's ideas reflected into our new media? Editor: Hmm, that’s something to consider, next time I mindlessly scroll though my instagram page! Curator: Right!