Kast met maskers 1772 - 1779

This print by Philibert Boutrois depicts a design for a cabinet, likely intended for well-to-do consumers. The design itself is Neoclassical, a style then in vogue and associated with rationality and order. But of course, the woodworker would have needed mastery over a wide range of skills, from carving to joinery to finishing. Even with division of labor, these trades demanded years of apprenticeship. This kind of print was part of a wider system for the dissemination of designs, enabling both producers and consumers to stay abreast of the latest fashions. Consider the social context: these luxury goods signified status, and the skilled labour required to make them was a mark of distinction too. While this image appears simple, it prompts us to consider the layers of skill, labour and consumption involved in its creation, and how design can reflect social status.