Cabriolet 1740 - 1758

Editor: Here we have "Cabriolet," a print engraving dating from the mid-18th century. It feels so meticulously rendered, almost like an architect's blueprint for a fancy carriage. What symbolic weight do you find in its imagery? Curator: This print, though seemingly technical, is rich with the visual language of status and aspiration. Consider the cabriolet itself. In the 18th century, a carriage wasn’t merely transport; it broadcasted the owner's position in society. The elaborate detail, that ornate embellishment speaks volumes. Can you see how the Baroque style isn’t just decorative, but a deliberate act of self-fashioning? Editor: Definitely, it's shouting "luxury". It’s interesting to see those almost diagram-like elements alongside it – what do they add? Curator: They disrupt the image of pure luxury and make us consider function. The semiotics become more complex. These additions reveal the underpinnings of power and privilege; it takes both craft and technical know-how to build status. What feelings does that evoke? Editor: A sense of constructed identity, almost theatrical. It’s not just about wealth but performance. Curator: Precisely! And engravings like these helped spread those aspirational images. Think of it as early advertising, creating and reinforcing a visual culture of class. It shaped desires, didn't it? It's about seeing and wanting to be seen. Editor: I never considered engravings in that way before; it is fascinating to unpack this layer of cultural performance. Curator: And the "Cabriolet," becomes more than just a carriage blueprint—it becomes a symbol of Baroque social ambition captured in print. Editor: It gives a whole new meaning to 'driving in style'. Thank you!