Bloemenmand c. 1680 - 1695

This image shows a "Bloemenmand," or flower basket, made by Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer, a French artist who died in 1699. It’s a black and white print on paper, a medium that democratized art in its time. Monnoyer wasn't just representing flowers; he was showcasing skill. The meticulous lines and shading, achieved through techniques like hatching and stippling, mimic the texture and form of each petal and leaf. There is great labor involved in the precise transfer of the artists' original design onto the copper plate, and many prints can be pulled from the plate as an edition to be sold. Monnoyer's choice of subject is telling. Flowers, especially in the 17th century, were symbols of luxury and cultivation. By capturing them in print, Monnoyer made this aspirational imagery available to a wider audience. Ultimately, this print invites us to consider how art is made, distributed, and consumed. It blurs the lines between representation, reproduction, and the social values attached to both.