Two Candlesticks 1525 - 1600

René Boyvin made this engraving of two candlesticks in France sometime in the 16th century. It’s an image that encapsulates the aesthetic values of the French Renaissance, where classical motifs such as putti, sphinxes, and grotesque masks were back in vogue. Ornamentation of this kind adorned all sorts of objects, from furniture to buildings to metalwork. We might consider this print as a kind of pattern book – circulating ideas and establishing certain kinds of luxury goods as fashionable. As an art historian, it's fascinating to note how such images served a social function, standardizing taste for a wealthy clientele. Knowing the historical context, we see how cultural institutions, like the royal court, influenced artistic creation by setting trends. By studying engravings like this, alongside inventories of the period, we can better understand the dynamics between art, commerce, and elite social circles in early modern Europe.