Vitrinekasten met objecten bij de Tentoonstelling voor Nationale Nijverheid en Kunst in het Paleis voor Volksvlijt, Amsterdam 1866

This anonymous photograph shows display cases filled with objects at the Tentoonstelling voor Nationale Nijverheid en Kunst - or Exhibition for National Industry and Art - held in Amsterdam's Palace for People's Industry. Look closely and you’ll see that the objects inside the vitrines have been arranged to impress. The use of glass suggests an embrace of the industrial revolution and mass manufacturing, allowing the viewer to look, but not touch. Each object is carefully displayed with a label, as they were produced and consumed, in the late 19th century. The objects on display have been meticulously crafted by skilled artisans and manufacturers, from delicate glassware to ornate metalwork, textiles, and ceramics. The arrangement invites us to consider the labor involved in the production process and the social and economic contexts in which these objects were created. Understanding an artwork means understanding the cultural values and the skill involved in its making, challenging any distinction between fine art and craft.