Who painted Decorative Urn?

Decorative Urn was painted by Jean Le Pautre in 1604.

Where can I see Decorative Urn?

Decorative Urn is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Decorative Urn?

Decorative Urn is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Decorative Urn

Jean Le Pautre , 1604

Decorative Urn is a print by the Baroque artist Jean Le Pautre. It dates from 1604 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Decorative Urn, a print by Jean Le Pautre dating to circa 1604, is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. The work depicts an ornate urn on a pedestal within a garden setting, surrounded by figures in period attire, animals, and intricate decorative elements.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a lavish urn, adorned with carvings of flowers, faces, and swirling motifs, including a face emerging from a circular panel. The scene, populated by people, a lion, and a dog, suggests a celebration of opulence and possibly the beauty of nature and artistry.

Technique & Style

Characterized by a dense composition packed with minute details (such as tiny figures and twisted urn handles), the print exemplifies the dramatic and ornate tendencies of 17th-century artistic styles, notably aligning with the era's penchant for busy, elaborate designs.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1604 by Jean Le Pautre, the print's history prior to its acquisition by The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here, highlighting only its current repository.

Context

The print's style reflects the broader artistic preferences of the 1600s, with its dramatic and detailed approach reminiscent of the Baroque movement, which emphasized intense emotions and highly ornamented forms.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jean Le Pautre

Jean Le Pautre or Lepautre was a French designer and engraver, the elder brother of the architect Antoine Le Pautre, the father of the engravers Pierre Le Pautre and Jacques Le Pautre, and the uncle of the sculptor Pierre Lepautre.