Schaal met twee hanen 1764

This is Benigno Bossi's "Schaal met twee hanen" or Bowl with two roosters, made in the 18th century. The image is created with etching, a printmaking process that was central to the circulation of design ideas at that time. Etching allowed for a relatively quick and easy way to reproduce images, spreading designs rapidly across Europe and beyond. In this case, it depicts a vessel embellished with roosters and festoons, likely intended for display. The roosters on either side could possibly be silver. Looking closely, you can see how the etched lines define the form and texture of the object. The print makes the bowl itself appear weighty, substantial, and highly ornamental. The combination of classical form with naturalistic elements reflects the prevailing aesthetic of the time. Prints like this played a crucial role in the development of design culture, fueling consumerism and influencing taste. They remind us that even seemingly straightforward images are embedded in complex networks of production, distribution, and consumption.