Architecture & Design · 19th century
€ 240
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good condition. Strong, clean impression and vivid original colors. Slight toning near the edges, minor age marks in margins.
Renaissance Decorative Cartouches & Motifs – Antique Lithograph, Pl. LVIII
This striking chromolithograph, Plate LVIII from L’Ornement Polychrome (Paris, circa 1869), showcases a brilliant array of Renaissance cartouches, frames, and heraldic motifs. Lithographed by Krautz and Durin, and printed by Firmin-Didot, this plate presents over 30 individual ornamental designs used for architectural decoration, title panels, or coats of arms during the Renaissance.
The designs are richly rendered in gold, ultramarine blue, carmine red, and soft pastel tones against a neutral beige background. Most cartouches are symmetrical and feature elaborate scrollwork, volutes, laurel garlands, mascarons, cherubs, and floral embellishments. Some frames are labeled with dates (e.g., 1563 and 1590), while others integrate human or animal figures—such as bearded masks, busts in classical headwear, and grotesque faces.
At the center, an ornate shield design features a blue field framed by curling acanthus leaves and gilt drapery, flanked above by two flying putti holding garlands—an archetypal Renaissance emblem of grandeur and balance.
Each element on this plate was designed not only for decorative function but also to symbolize power, lineage, or artistic patronage. Plates like this served as a key design sourcebook for 19th-century decorators seeking to revive Renaissance aesthetics in architectural interiors, furniture, and graphic arts.
This piece is highly appealing to collectors of historical design, classical revival art, or anyone fascinated by the symbolic richness of Renaissance ornamentation.
Condition: Very good condition. Strong, clean impression and vivid original colors. Slight toning near the edges, minor age marks in margins.
Framing tips: Best presented in a simple gold or walnut frame with a cream or light parchment mat to highlight the intricate color palette and classical symmetry.
Technique: Chromolithograph
Maker: Krautz & Durin (lith.); Firmin-Didot Frères, Paris, c.1869
