Corner cabinet (encoignure) (one of a pair) 1740 - 1754

Curator: So, what catches your eye about this corner cabinet? Editor: This is "Corner cabinet (encoignure)" created between 1740 and 1754, by Bernard II van Risenburgh. It is currently located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Made with wood and metal, it seems almost like a sculpture rather than a purely functional object. I'm immediately drawn to the intricate details, the very opulent embellishments, and, generally, its ornamental quality. What's your interpretation? Curator: Notice how the piece foregrounds labor and craft. The meticulous marquetry and metalwork speak to a highly specialized and stratified system of production. Think about the workshop dynamics, the division of labor—master craftsman, journeymen, apprentices, each contributing to the final product. This blurring of boundaries between art and craft challenges traditional hierarchies. How might its consumption tie into social aspirations? Editor: That's an interesting point. Its presence in a corner implies it fills a need, while simultaneously becoming a visual statement within a room, as much as just the utility of storing. Curator: Exactly. This is about the transformation of raw materials, wood and metal, into a desirable commodity and social capital. Can we truly separate its "artistic" merit from its economic function in 18th-century France? Where does art end and commerce begin? Editor: I see what you mean, understanding the labor and consumption inherent to this "functional" art gives insight into the values and material conditions of that time. I'll definitely look at decorative arts differently from now on. Curator: Precisely! By examining these pieces through the lens of their making, we unlock new perspectives about art and society.