Kazuifel 1857 - 1859

This is a design for a chasuble, or 'Kazuifel' in Dutch, by Pierre Cuypers. Although it's just a plan, it gives us insight into the immense labor involved in creating such a garment. Think of the time and skill it would take to translate this drawing into reality. The selection of rich fabrics like silk or velvet, the precise cutting and sewing, and above all, the intricate embroidery. These vestments often featured elaborate religious symbols and ornamentation, all painstakingly rendered by hand. Cuypers was a leading figure in the Gothic Revival movement, so this design likely draws inspiration from medieval church textiles. But beyond its historical references, it also reflects the social context of its time. The production of such a garment would have involved a network of artisans and workshops, each contributing their specialized skills. When you look at it this way, you start to appreciate that objects like this embody not just artistic vision, but also complex systems of labor and production.