Kok met een pastei 1661 - 1726

This print, made anonymously, is called "Cook with a pie." It’s made of etched lines, using a process that allows for the creation of intricate details and tonal variation. The image depicts a chef holding a pie, surrounded by an abundance of meat. The sharp, precise lines of the etching emphasize the textures of the various foodstuffs, from the feathers of the cooked bird to the rough hide of the butchered animals. The print’s focus on material excess also has a social significance. It was made during a time of increasing wealth for some, but also of stark inequality. The abundance shown here reflects a growing consumer culture, where food became a symbol of status. Consider the labor involved in producing this feast. From the farmer raising the animals, to the butcher preparing the cuts, and finally the chef assembling the pie, the image speaks to the many hands that contribute to this display. It reminds us that even seemingly simple objects carry within them complex histories of production, labor, and consumption.