Sluitstenen met bladmotieven en masker 1772 - 1779

Jean Pelletier created this print, "Sluitstenen met bladmotieven en masker," which translates to "Keystones with leaf motifs and mask," sometime in the 18th century. Pelletier lived through the end of the Baroque period and the rise of the Rococo style. The print depicts two designs for keystones. The top design features foliage motifs, while the bottom displays a cherubic mask surrounded by more foliage. These designs reflect the period’s aristocratic sensibilities, celebrating wealth, leisure, and beauty. Note that the mask has strikingly delicate, feminine features. The representation of women in the decorative arts of this era were often idealized and passive. Consider how Pelletier's keystones blend classical elements with the sensibilities of his time. The print offers a glimpse into the aesthetic values and gendered ideals that shaped the decorative arts of the 18th century.