Gezicht op een deel van een kamer in Schloss Enn in Montagna, Italië before 1891

This photograph by Otto Schmidt shows a corner of Schloss Enn in Montagna, Italy. Notice the range of materials and processes represented here. From the carved wooden chest and door to the textile wallpaper, it is clear that great skill went into crafting this space. The wooden ceiling and tiled stove are a testament to traditional construction methods. The furniture and fixtures show that Schloss Enn was once a place where the elite lived and spent their leisure time. Consider the labor that went into each element. The intricate carvings, the weaving of the textiles, the laying of each tile – all this required a tremendous amount of skilled work. In many pre-industrial contexts, the kind of intensive handiwork on display here would have been an index of social status. By emphasizing the art of making, we appreciate how this space reflects not just architectural design but also a broader cultural history, reminding us of the relationship between craftsmanship, wealth, and society.