Chandeliers de Sculpture en Argent

1745

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Dominant colour

Chandeliers de Sculpture en Argent is a 1745 by Louis Desplaces, a Baroque work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Louis Desplaces
When & what style?: 1745 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This print shows a tall, fancy silver candlestick with swirling shapes and small figures wrapped around it. The top has a flame-like design, and the base looks like it’s sitting on a cloud or wave. Below, there’s another drawing of a decorative wall panel with more twisting patterns and a small scene in the middle. The text says this was made by a designer for the king’s cabinet, which means it was meant for rich, fancy rooms. The lines are sharp and detailed, showing how careful the artist was. If you like this style, check out Baroque.

The story of this work

Overview

The engraving depicts a candlestick design from a volume of works by Juste Aurèle Meissonnier, a French designer, architect, and goldsmith active in the early 18th century. Published between 1742 and 1750 in three editions, the design appears in *Oeuvre de Juste Aurèle Meissonnier*, a collection of engravings after his creations. Earlier versions of Meissonnier’s designs were released in printed sets by the publisher Chereau, first advertised in the *Mercure* in March 1734.

Read the full account in the museum source.