Design for a Fireplace
Anonymous, French, 17th century
This drawing reproduces a fireplace published in a print series by Melchior II Tavernier (French, Antwerp 1595-1665 Paris) in 1633. Eight years earlier, Tavernier had hired a young artist called Jean Barbet to record some of the latest novelties in interior design from in and around Paris, which were then etched by Abraham Bosse (French, Tours 1602/1604–1676 Paris). The rich and sculptural designs proved so popular, that shortly after their publication copies were made in The Netherlands, Germany and England. In addition to printed copies, a luxurious set of drawn copies was also made in France intended for the British architect Inigo Jones (British, Smithfield (London) 1573-1652 London) and the so-called ‘Office of Works’ to present to Queen Henrietta Maria (wife of King Charles I of England). Jones was to interpret the designs in his own manner and execute them in several palaces belonging to the English royal family.
Credit: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1955