Twee kwarten van plafonds 1668 - 1716

This print, "Twee kwarten van plafonds," was made by Susanne Maria von Sandrart, likely in the late 17th or early 18th century. It’s made using engraving, a printmaking technique involving cutting lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing paper against it. This design for ceiling decoration gives us a privileged glimpse into the world of interior design of the period. Look closely, and you can see the intricacy that would have been involved. The cherubic figures, foliage, and architectural details are all rendered with impressive precision. The creation of such a print was a laborious process, demanding the work of a highly skilled artisan. Prints like this allowed for the dissemination of design ideas at a time before photography, when architectural details, patterns, and ornamentation could be shared more widely. This blurring of fine art and the decorative arts invites us to reconsider these hierarchies, and see how closely they are intertwined.