Blaasbalg en stapel takken 1730 - 1731

Bernard Picart made this print, "Blaasbalg en stapel takken" or "Bellows and stack of branches," using etching and engraving techniques sometime between 1683 and 1733. It is a technical drawing, but what does this mean as an artwork? Picart worked in the Netherlands during a period when it was a hub of global trade and nascent capitalism. The Dutch Republic valued scientific advancement and commerce. This print reflects those values. It is a visual record, a method for cataloging and disseminating knowledge, and perhaps a design for practical application. The print invites us to consider art as a form of social and economic activity. It prompts questions about the social role of imagery and the conditions that shape artistic production. We might consult technical manuals and trade records from the period to better understand the print’s purpose and audience. Analyzing this artwork reveals how art is embedded in and reflects the values of its time.