Kast en twee stoelen 1705 - 1775

This print, "Kast en twee stoelen," or "Cabinet and two chairs," offers us a peek into the domestic sphere, though the artist remains anonymous. During this period, the design and craftsmanship of furniture were deeply intertwined with social status. The elaborate details seen here speak to a culture of luxury and refinement. These furnishings were not just functional; they were statements of wealth and taste. Note how the chairs, with their high backs and ornate carvings, seem designed to elevate the sitter. The cabinet similarly stands as a monument to skilled labor and expensive materials. Think about the hands that shaped these objects, the patrons who commissioned them, and the spaces they would have inhabited. This print invites us to consider the power dynamics embedded within these objects, and how they contribute to broader narratives of identity and class.