Man met bok c. 1822 - 1827

This tableau of a man with a goat was crafted in silver by Gijsbert Barbiers. Look closely and you’ll see that the figures have been very simply modeled, with the lines of their bodies clearly delineated. The material has strongly influenced the design. Silver is a precious metal, yet here it has been used to capture a humble scene. The silver lends the tableau a sense of value and permanence. Consider also the labor involved. Each figure would have been individually cast, chased and assembled. The base is ornamented with engraved geometric patterns. This suggests a tension between the subject of the artwork, the inherent value of the materials, and the skilled labor required to produce this amusing object. These elements – material, making, and context – are all crucial to understanding the full meaning of the artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.