Onderboezem met twee hermen c. 1680 - 1700

Pieter Schenk created this print of a design for a mantelpiece somewhere between 1670 and 1711. The print offers us a glimpse into the domestic lives of the wealthy during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Note the figures, or herms, that flank the design on either side. In classical architecture, herms were typically male figures, often gods or mythical heroes, and were symbols of strength and virility. They represented ideal masculinity, and their prominent placement on a domestic object like a fireplace reinforced the patriarchal values of the time. The fireplace itself was a focal point of the home, representing warmth, security, and family. But it also spoke to power and status. The elaborate design seen here would have been a display of wealth and taste, reinforcing the social hierarchy. What do you think this says about the identities of those who inhabited these spaces, and who were excluded?