Cittern c. 1690 - 1700

Editor: So, this cittern, dating from around 1690 to 1700 and made by Hinrich Kopp, is such a beautifully crafted instrument! The wood carving is incredible. I'm curious, what catches your eye about this piece? Curator: The cittern is interesting when we consider the social context of instrument making and consumption during the late 17th century. It represents a fascinating intersection of craft, labor, and emerging consumer culture. The very material – wood – speaks of access to resources, and the carving shows skilled labor, yes, but to what end? Editor: To create music, and... enjoyment? Curator: Of course. But the decorative aspect suggests more than purely functional value. It implies status and patronage. Who would commission such an item? Also, think about the cittern versus other instruments of the time: what sort of music was it associated with? How did that music function socially? Editor: Perhaps it was for private enjoyment, like in a wealthy household. Curator: Precisely. It’s crucial to understand how musical instruments – often seen as “high art” objects – also functioned within the broader material culture. How does the baroque style evident here connect it to broader cultural trends, especially in consumerism and social stratification? The headstock's carving is very interesting in particular. How does the style compare to architectural ornamentation from the same era? Editor: I see your point. It's easy to overlook the context in which the materials and the maker's skill were mobilized, how an instrument could act as social currency. I didn't realize it spoke to those kinds of details about consumption and class. Curator: Exactly! And recognizing that helps us dismantle conventional high/low art distinctions based simply on medium and focus on the stories and lived relations within the art making.