Hemelbed 1642

This finely wrought rendering of a bed was made by an anonymous artist using etching, a printmaking technique. Note how the material – paper – influences the image. Through line, the artist depicts the texture and form of the wooden bed. The elaborate carving, from the balusters to the headboard, suggests the skilled traditions of woodworkers and furniture makers, as well as their close engagement with aesthetics and design. The drawing gives us a sense of the amount of work involved in the production process, and the social importance of the object. Beds like this were expensive status symbols, commissioned for wealthy patrons; but they also reflect the labor of artisans, whose expertise was essential to bringing such intricate designs to life. By attending to materials, making, and context, we can understand the rich social history embedded within this remarkable drawing.