Chest 

This study of a chest was made by Albrecht Durer with graphite on paper. It seems that the artist was interested in the carpentry and blacksmithing of this utilitarian object. The chest, rendered with great attention to the wood grain and metal embellishments, gains a kind of monumentality. The ironwork, made by a blacksmith, contrasts with the wooden body. This would have involved the labor of felling trees, milling lumber, and assembling the chest, all before the iron straps were applied. The drawing highlights the material qualities of these craft processes. The chest's very existence speaks to a need for secure storage, and an economy capable of generating surplus wealth. Durer emphasizes the chest’s construction, and by extension, acknowledges the skilled labor involved in its making. By focusing on the material and construction of this everyday object, Durer challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft, inviting us to consider the value and artistry inherent in functional objects.