Book excerpt: One of the 17th century's most influential craftsmen is showcased in this monograph, highlighting the work of André Charles Boulle. The study reveals how the man renowned as the preeminent artist of marquetry--the art of applying pieces of veneer to fashion decorative patterns--gave birth to a new aesthetic through his chosen medium. Boulle's level of refinement is illustrated, portraying an execution that was unique in his time, earning him the title of Ebéniste Ciseleur et Marqueteur du Roi--Cabinetmaker, Carver, and Marqueter King--as well as the envy of crowned heads, princes, and rich collectors throughout Europe. The artist's innovative genius in spatial conception, rare and pioneering mastery of gilt bronze, and marquetry using the rarest materials are all celebrated in detail. Recollecting the century of Louis XIV and Peter the Great, this history reflects on the genesis of many attributes of modernity that were to flourish in later years.