Twee haardschermen 1753 - 1775

This print, "Twee haardschermen," or "Two Fire Screens" was made anonymously, and resides here at the Rijksmuseum. During this time, the aesthetics of domestic life were shifting, as decorative objects became indicators of personal taste and status. In this context, something as simple as a fire screen could become a canvas for expressing identity. What I find really interesting about this image is how these screens subtly negotiate gender roles. The fire screen itself speaks to domesticity, historically associated with women. Yet, it is also an object of display, suggesting a performance of taste intended for a broader, perhaps masculine, social sphere. These screens, beyond their practical use, were part of a larger cultural script about refinement and class. The "picturesque taste" mentioned in the title reflects an interest in the natural and the artful—qualities that would have been highly prized within certain social circles. It’s fascinating to think about how such an everyday object was embedded in a web of social meanings.