Werkplaats van een timmerman met verklarende tekening 1771

Robert Benard made this print of a carpentry workshop and its tools sometime in the 1700s. The image gives us a glimpse into the world of artisanal labor during the Enlightenment. The print is more than just a depiction of a workspace; it’s a diagram of the social and economic structures of the time. Notice the division of labor: multiple figures working at separate tables, each seemingly engaged in a specific task. This reflects the increasing specialization of labor that was emerging in Europe at this time. The detailed depiction of tools also speaks to the growing importance of technical knowledge and expertise in the production process. Were these images part of a larger project, such as Diderot's Encyclopedie, aiming to classify and codify knowledge? If so, this print is a testament to the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, order, and the systematic study of the world. To understand this print better, we might delve into guild records, workshop inventories, and economic treatises from the period. This will help us appreciate the complex social and institutional contexts in which art was made and the power of art to challenge or uphold existing social norms.