Das Neüe Modelbuch. . .Erster Theil 1655 - 1665

Rosina Helena Fürst’s “Das Neüe Modelbuch. . .Erster Theil,” is an engraving made in the 17th century. Fürst was part of a family of printmakers in Nuremberg, Germany, during a period of significant social and economic change. The image depicts women engaged in domestic crafts, reflecting the era’s emphasis on women's roles in the household. Yet, Fürst's position as a female artist and business owner challenges these conventional gender roles. We can see her subverting traditional narratives by taking control of the means of production and distribution of these images. The detailed rendering of clothing and interior décor provides insight into the material culture and aspirations of the rising merchant class. This engraving provides a glimpse into the complex interplay of gender, class, and artistic expression in 17th-century Germany. It reminds us of the quiet ways women navigated and negotiated their identities in a world of traditional expectations.