Zes traphekken 1737 - 1806

Curator: This intriguing engraving is entitled "Zes traphekken," or "Six Stair Railings," a print made between 1737 and 1806, held here at the Rijksmuseum. I find the clean lines quite striking. What catches your eye? Editor: It has a formality that is oddly comforting. A visual catalog, almost. Like a restrained joy of ornamentation held captive by its grid. Curator: It’s true. There’s something very ordered about it, very much of its time. Though attributed to Anonymous, the clear intent here is to showcase different styles—specifically “à la mode Antique,” as the inscription tells us. We can observe classical motifs reimagined through 18th-century tastes. Editor: Antique as imagined then. Which, of course, speaks volumes about *that* era, doesn’t it? These railings, beyond their ostensible function, are tiny monuments to an ideal—the perfectly balanced society, perhaps? The ruling class wanted these symbolic gates everywhere to convey the antique authority of the state and household. Curator: Exactly. You see these repeating ovals, the stylized palmettes. They're whispers of Greek and Roman grandeur, but translated into a more decorative vocabulary. Consider how a potential patron might flip through this like a wallpaper sample book! Editor: So, it's about imposing a narrative, solidifying the status. These aren't just railings, they are declarations. Boundaries etched in ink and paper to dictate not just movement, but meaning. Like heraldry for the home! Curator: Precisely! A curated selection of 'acceptable' aesthetics intended to control and elevate taste within the domestic space. These railing patterns symbolize belonging to an elite tier of society who valued their connections to their imagined past. Editor: It is fascinating to see history repurposed as home decor. It makes you wonder what elements of our world today will wind up as decorative gestures in the homes of the future? Curator: An interesting thought indeed! Well, the level of intricacy and symbolism certainly gave me a renewed respect for how such simple forms have a great significance!