Journal des Luxus und der Moden 1786, Band I, T. 21 1786

Editor: This is “Journal des Luxus und der Moden 1786, Band I, T. 21,” an ink drawing from 1786 by Friedrich Justin Bertuch. The carriage depicted seems quite elegant, almost fragile, rendered with such fine lines. What statements do you think the work makes regarding the cultural norms of its time? Curator: It's interesting that you see fragility. I see it as a very calculated display of power. Luxury, especially during this period, was inextricably linked to social status and political influence. "Journal des Luxus und der Moden" literally translates to "Journal of Luxury and Fashion." Editor: So, this wasn’t just about aesthetics. Curator: Absolutely not. Consider who had access to such a vehicle. The rising merchant class was emulating aristocratic aesthetics to ascend socially. Think about who benefits from that aspiration, and at whose expense. The creation and maintenance of these luxury items often depended on exploitative labor practices. Does that complicate your initial response? Editor: It does! I hadn't considered the labor involved. Were there any significant artistic movements influencing this particular kind of drawing at the time? Curator: We can contextualize the artist's choices using Romanticism, a European artistic movement that followed Enlightenment values. The drawing exhibits Romanticism through an idealistic rendering that highlights social status and aesthetics over practical functionality. Note also how gender dynamics play a role in that visual language, and who it was that this "journal" targeted as an audience. Editor: That reframing really clarifies the power dynamics embedded within this seemingly simple image. Thank you! Curator: And thank you, too. Considering the full picture – production, consumption, and societal structures – enriches our appreciation for art’s reflection and shaping of cultural values.