Speeltafel, tafel en bureau after 1878

This print presents a series of tables, each designed with hidden compartments and dual functionalities. Note how each table is more than it seems, a silent keeper of secrets, reflecting a culture obsessed with appearances and hidden meanings. The mirror, prominently featured in the central table, echoes Narcissus, gazing endlessly at his reflection, a symbol of vanity, and introspection. We see echoes of this self-regard in Renaissance portraiture, yet here, the mirror is tucked away, suggesting a hidden, perhaps guilty, self-obsession. Similarly, the concept of a hidden space has appeared in many forms and places, such as reliquaries and medieval triptychs that concealed sacred images. This recurring desire to hide and reveal mirrors our internal world, a constant negotiation between our public and private selves. Consider how these objects, seemingly simple, tap into a deep-seated human need for privacy, reflection, and the occasional indulgence in the hidden pleasures of life. The motifs resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings through time.