Draagkoets 1731 - 1775

Johann Georg Hertel made this print of a "Draagkoets," or carrying coach, with etching, sometime in the 18th century. The print depicts the design for an ornate structure, one that would have been custom-made for the wealthy elite. The very existence of such a vehicle speaks volumes about the social hierarchy of the time. These weren't just modes of transport; they were mobile displays of status, paraded through city streets. The cherubic figures adorning the design are not just decorative, but are visual cues linked to power and privilege. To truly understand this print, we can delve into period documents, such as estate inventories, guild records, and travel logs. These sources will help us understand the market for luxury goods and the culture of conspicuous consumption.