Lot Essay
Jean Le Pautre was a pupil of the cabinet-maker Philippon. He was both a designer and an engraver, producing over a thousand plates of ornament. From 1670 he was employed by the Crown and in 1677 was elected to the Academy as 'Dessignateur et Graveur'. Chimneypieces were a speciality of his, but he is also known for his furniture and trophy designs. He faithfully followed the Roman Baroque style which had become under Le Brun the official style of Louis XIVths court and it was through the disemination of Le Pautre's designs that the style of Le Brun was spread throughout Europe.