Onderboezem c. 1675 - 1686

Cornelis Danckerts created this print of a chimney breast, or ‘Onderboezem,’ in the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-17th century. Chimney breasts were important architectural features in Dutch homes, and were often elaborately decorated to reflect the wealth and status of the owner. This print, with its classical figures and ornate detailing, provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultural values of the time, when there was an increasing desire among the mercantile classes for luxury and refinement. The central oval depicts a classical scene of Cupid and Psyche, symbolizing love and desire. The image creates meaning through its visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations, embodying the spirit of the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by economic prosperity, artistic innovation, and social change. Understanding art like this requires a knowledge of the social conditions that shaped artistic production, which can be gained by studying household inventories, architectural plans, and contemporary accounts of domestic life.