Sleutel en radslot 1635

This print, "Sleutel en radslot", was made in 1683 by Philippe Cordier Daubigny, whose detailed engravings invite us into the world of 17th-century craftsmanship. At first glance, these designs might seem purely ornamental. However, they reflect the era’s complex relationship with power and security. Locks and keys, beyond their practical function, symbolize control and access, concepts deeply embedded in the social hierarchy of the time. The intricate decorations—cherubs and verdant foliage—contrast sharply with the objects’ intended purpose: to guard property and maintain social order. How might the owners of such ornamented tools have felt, knowing their wealth was protected by objects of such beauty? Daubigny, through his craft, subtly highlights the tensions between the aesthetic and the functional, the open and the closed. What do you think? Does this artwork speak to the emotional and social dynamics of our own time?