Ornamental Decoration in 17th Century France

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Ornamental Decoration in 17th Century France

Jean Le Pautre titlepage


ornamental grotesque faces


decorative embellishment


fountain arabesque


armorial ornament


Le Pautre ornament with putti


17th cent. french ornamental motifs


extravagant 17th cent. french ornamentation


grotesque border motif


17th cent. decorative embellishment


border motifs - 17th cent. designs


border grotesques and arabesques


Le Pautre - 17th cent. ornamental design


ornamental design vignettes


17th cent. french ornamental design - Le Pautre


arabesque and grotesque fountain designs


decorative embellishment - architectural design


3 grotesque face designs


17th cent. french fountain decorative design


17 cent. decorative stand and vase design


17th century plinth design


french design motifs


Jean Le Pautre (Lepautre or Lepaultre) (1618-1682) has been described as the most important ornament engraver of the 17th century. His prodigious output extended to more than 2000 prints, mostly from his own original designs.

He was not only the originator of the grandiose Louis XIV style but was also responsible for disseminating and popularising its full lavish repertoire throughout Europe. Le Pautre's often over-elaborate and flamboyant designs frequently included arabesques, grotesques and cartouches, together with elements from classical mythology.

His diverse range of subject matter, influenced by his carpentry/joinery architectural background, included: friezes, wallpaper, alcoves, fireplaces, furniture, murals, ceiling mouldings, fountains and grottoes.


A 3-volume series of his works was released in 1751 by Charles-Antoine Jombert of Paris, under the title: 'Oeuvres D'Architecture De Jean Le Pautre' and was recently uploaded by the University of Heidelberg. (Hint: to get to the thumbnails, click on 'Titelblatt', then the '-' symbol and arrow across to reach the 147 illustrations) The sample of images above are from Volume One which concentrates on the grotesque/arabesque prints.

architectural border design - 17th century france

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