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

This print, at the Rijksmuseum, offers new designs for ornamenting coaches and carriages, its anonymous maker having used etching techniques. The symmetrical balance of the Rococo style is immediately evident. Observe how the composition is structured through a series of decorative panels, each demonstrating an ornate detailing. Figures of cherubs and mythological creatures intertwine with foliage, exemplifying the period's inclination towards naturalistic motifs blended with classical elements. The texture, achieved through fine etching, allows for intricate detailing. This suggests an exploration of the tactile quality that could be achieved on the surfaces of carriages. The artist uses line and form to create a sense of depth, challenging fixed meanings by blending the aesthetic with the functional. The design serves not just as visual pleasure but as a statement of status. The structured composition and decorative elements invite us to consider how ornament can become a language, a dialogue between art and society, where even functional objects carry significant cultural meaning.