New Designs for Ornamenting and Embellishing Coaches and Carriages c. 1680 - 1701

This print, titled "New Designs for Ornamenting and Embellishing Coaches and Carriages", was made anonymously, using etching. This is an intaglio printmaking technique that uses acid to cut into a metal plate, allowing for the creation of detailed images. Look closely, and you'll see a vision of luxury, intended for a very specific clientele. The design shows elaborate ornamentation, with figures, foliage, and classical motifs. These suggest the wealth and status associated with carriage ownership. The etching process itself is meticulous, requiring skilled craftsmanship. The design reflects not just an aesthetic preference, but also the social and economic structures of the time. The coach and carriage, symbols of power, were accessible only to the wealthy elite. In turn, production of these luxury items depended on the work of many artisans. By focusing on the ways of making, we see the intersection of fine art, craft, and industrial production, revealing a complex story of labor, class, and consumption.