Design for a Pulpit, Plate 4 from an Untitled Series of Pulpit Designs 1745 - 1755

Carl Pier designed this pulpit sometime in the 18th century, rendering it as an engraving. Notice how the printmaking process, with its precise lines, emphasizes the pulpit's ornate details and architectural structure. The design showcases a complex interplay of forms – from the solid base to the intricate carvings and angelic figures floating above. The engraving captures the texture of what would have been the wooden elements, as well as the tactile sense of depth and dimension. This wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about power, and the social role of the church. Pulpits such as this were focal points within the church, platforms for delivering sermons and moral guidance. The elaborate design reflects the importance of religious institutions in 18th-century society, and the resources they commanded. Thinking about this engraving invites us to consider the labor and materials required to construct such an object, and how the hierarchies of skill and status were expressed through craft and design.