Op een sokkel, gedecoreerd met mascarons, staat een bank tussen twee schermen c. 1525 - 1594

This print showing a stage or room design was made by Hans Sibmacher sometime before 1611. The architectural features, like the pedestals, frames, and garlands, are festooned with grotesque masks. The image is striking for its interest in the design of social space and how this reflects an elite preoccupation with spectacle. It was made in the German lands during the early 17th century. Then, as now, the design of public stages or domestic spaces was not simply a matter of personal taste. It was the result of multiple social, economic, and political forces. The construction of theaters, for example, was often controlled by local authorities keen to encourage certain kinds of civic expression. Likewise, interior design reflected the wealth and social status of its patrons. The historian can look at documents such as municipal records, guild regulations, and probate inventories to understand these broader conditions. From this, we can understand how art reflects the dynamics of social life.