Cabriolet 1740 - 1758

This is an engraving of a cabriolet, made anonymously, and it offers a glimpse into the world of 18th-century transportation and societal hierarchies. The cabriolet, a light, two-wheeled carriage, was not merely a mode of transport; it was a symbol of status. Owning and riding in one signaled a certain level of wealth and social standing. But who were the people being transported? The image prompts us to consider the lives and experiences of those who could afford such luxury, and the labor of those, likely men, who drove and maintained these carriages. The designer's choice of detail, the careful rendering of the carriage's structure, and the inclusion of the scale, underscore the value placed on technical skill and precision. The print serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between mobility, class, and labor in a bygone era.