Kamer met schouw met luiken 1650 - 1664

Jean Lepautre made this print of a room interior sometime in the 17th century, using etching, a technique that involves biting lines into a metal plate with acid, then inking and pressing it onto paper. What I find striking here is not only the scene depicted, but how it speaks to the labor involved in the production of luxury goods. Think about it – the print shows an elaborately decorated room, probably in a wealthy person’s home. Every detail, from the ornate fireplace to the intricate wall panels, suggests skilled craftsmanship. But, this print also hints at the many artisans required to produce and install these features, from woodworkers to carvers to plasterers. Lepautre's print thus becomes more than just a depiction of interior design, it shows us the social relations that enabled luxury culture in the 1600s. It reminds us to appreciate the materials and making of these pieces, and the context of labor, class, and consumption that underpinned their creation.