Cartouches de diferentes Inventions. Tres Utilles a plussieurs sortes de Personnes

1634

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Dominant colour

Cartouches de diferentes Inventions. Tres Utilles a plussieurs sortes de Personnes is a 1634 by Daniel Rabel, a Baroque work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Daniel Rabel
When & what style?: 1634 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This print is a 1634 Baroque cartouche—a decorated frame meant for names or titles. It’s by Daniel Rabel, who helped bring the playful "auricular" style to France. The frames look like twisting animal ears, but here they twist like fish. Useful? Maybe. These frames were often left blank for an inscription or coat of arms. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more of Rabel’s prints.

The story of this work

Overview

Daniel Rabel’s 1634 print *Cartouches de diferentes Inventions* features asymmetrical, auricular-style frames with curling edges resembling dried fish, incorporating motifs such as a fish mask and a horse’s skull. The cartouches, ornamental panels typically left blank for inscriptions or heraldry, reflect the style’s inspiration from animal ear shapes. This print contributed to the introduction of the auricular style to France during the 17th century.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Daniel Rabel

Daniel Rabel loved turning everyday life into something playful. While most painters stuck to grand religious scenes, he drew fencing manuals and carnival costumes with a sharp eye for movement. His 1634 print…

See the richer artist page