Twee urnen op voetstukken 1778 - 1779

Here we see Gottlieb Friedrich Riedel’s delicate rendering of “Twee urnen op voetstukken”, or Two Urns on Pedestals. It’s an engraving, so likely made to be widely distributed, from a time when art and design were increasingly accessible to the middle classes. Look at the urns themselves: they are adorned with classical motifs and portrait medallions. Note how these design elements speak to the cultural values of the 18th century, evoking notions of antiquity, nobility, and learnedness. These urns aren’t just decorative objects; they are statements of cultural aspiration. Consider, too, the pedestal. What does it mean to elevate an object, to put it on display? How does this change our relationship to it? This work captures a moment in time, a moment of shifting social structures and aesthetic ideals. What stories do you think these urns could tell?