Kabinet met drie verticale panelen c. 1680 - 1700

This engraving depicts a cabinet with three vertical panels, created by an anonymous artist. While the maker and date are unknown, it is evocative of a time when domestic objects were not just functional, but also carriers of social meaning. At first glance, the cabinet seems like a simple piece of furniture, but look closer: each panel tells a story. The figures, reminiscent of classical forms, evoke a world of mythology and allegory. They are presented with a distinctly Western European aesthetic. The cabinet becomes a stage for asserting cultural values, perhaps reflecting the aspirations or identity of its owner. Consider the contrast between the idealized figures and the labor required to produce such an object. What does it mean to bring these worlds together? This work reminds us that even the most mundane objects can be powerful symbols. They represent the way identities are shaped through cultural artifacts.