Bokaal met deksel, met voorstellingen van de vlasindustrie c. 1750 - 1760

This glass goblet with a lid, standing at just over 30 cm tall, was created anonymously and features depictions of the flax industry. It is interesting to consider the social conditions that shape artistic production and how the politics of imagery play out here. The flax industry, a significant economic activity in certain regions, becomes the subject of artistic representation, offering a glimpse into the relationship between labor, industry, and art. The inclusion of scenes from the flax industry raises questions about the cultural and economic values attributed to this industry. It’s important to consider the social structures of the time and the artistic and institutional conventions that may have influenced the creation and reception of this goblet. To understand this work better, we need to research the history of the flax industry, the artistic traditions of glassmaking, and the cultural values associated with labor and industry during the time it was made.