Duimplaten 1690 - 1725

Curator: Before us we have "Duimplaten," created between 1690 and 1725 by an anonymous artist. This pen and ink drawing is held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Gosh, they’re intricate! They almost look like ornate elevator panels from some baroque steampunk dream. All that delicate pen work… Curator: Indeed. Notice the deliberate use of negative space to highlight the detailed flourishes. Each section presents a study in ornamental design, adhering to established visual grammars. Editor: Ornamental is the word. I am just imagining the poor craftsman trying to realize those fussy details. So many twirls! What's the purpose? Some kind of weapons catalogue, perhaps? Curator: It is very possible, each of these studies presents unique design options that likely could have been applied to various armaments during this period. The three individual panels also exhibit interesting deviations. Note how the composition differs. Editor: The composition is indeed very pleasing. Though each weapon looks unique, their forms all appear to spring from a shared design vocabulary. Almost like triplets, with similar DNA, each bearing a unique character and expression. Curator: That is perceptive. Furthermore, one must consider that this level of detail signifies status. Each carefully rendered flourish operates as a signifier. Editor: Of status? Maybe. To me it feels more…whimsical? Like the artist got lost in a world of scrolls and cherubs and forgot what they were actually designing. A testament to the power of distraction, perhaps! Curator: An intriguing perspective. Ultimately, considering this work’s formal qualities offers insight into artistic trends during this historical moment. Editor: Yes. And maybe, just maybe, it hints at the daydreaming artisan behind the weapon's creation, lost in the sheer joy of ornamentation.