Design for a Cartouche, Plate 1 from 'Neü inventierte sehr dienstiche Schilde oder Cartouches' 1750 - 1756

This is a plate from 'Neü inventierte sehr dienstiche Schilde oder Cartouches' made by Jeremias Wachsmuth in the 18th century. It’s an engraving, meaning the design was incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. The design showcases an ornate cartouche, a decorative frame or panel often used for inscriptions or coats of arms. You can see the fine lines and meticulous detail achieved through the engraving process, which gives the design a crisp, almost three-dimensional quality. Wachsmuth was not just an artist, but also a skilled craftsman. Engravings like this were essential for disseminating designs in an age before photography, functioning as both artworks in their own right and templates for artisans working in other media, such as furniture making or architecture. This plate embodies a fusion of artistry and utility, and shows how design ideas circulated across different workshops and social classes. It challenges the distinction between fine art and craft, and reminds us that creativity has always been a collaborative and interdisciplinary endeavor.