Design to a court dress 

This "Design to a court dress" was made by Albrecht Durer sometime between the late 15th and early 16th century, with pen and ink on paper. Though seemingly simple, it represents a complex intersection of social status and the skilled trades. The dress itself, implied through Durer's precise linework, is not just clothing but a statement. Its materials, likely luxurious fabrics like velvet and silk, speak to the wearer's high social standing. Consider the labor involved: from the cultivation of raw materials to the weaving, dyeing, and embroidery, a whole network of skilled artisans would have been needed to produce such an outfit. Durer's drawing, then, isn't just a design, it's a document of its time, reflecting the hierarchies of labor and the value placed on skilled craftsmanship. It invites us to look beyond the surface and recognize the artistry and work embedded in the everyday objects of the past.