Covered Goblet with Grapes on the Stem 1500 - 1538

Albrecht Altdorfer created this engraving, Covered Goblet with Grapes on the Stem, in the 16th century. As a printmaker, painter, and architect in Renaissance Germany, Altdorfer lived in a world where art was deeply intertwined with social status and religious reform. This goblet, though a common object, is elevated through intricate ornamentation and the detailed engraving technique. Grapes, a symbol of both earthly pleasure and Christian sacrament, adorn its stem, highlighting the complex relationship between religious and secular life in Altdorfer's time. The goblet becomes a stage for exploring the tensions between indulgence and piety, consumption and spirituality. The artwork also reflects the values of a society undergoing transformation, where craftsmanship and artistic skill were increasingly recognized as markers of cultural identity and status. Altdorfer, through this seemingly simple object, invites us to consider the values we attach to material possessions. What do our objects say about us?