Une Cofretiere (tinsmith)

DateCa. 1730

Engraver Martin Engelbrecht

MediumHand colored etching and line engraving

DimensionsOverall: 14 × 8 1/2in. (35.6 × 21.6cm) Other (plate to marks including title): 12 1/2 × 7 1/2in. (31.8 × 19.1cm) Other (plate alone): 10 1/2 × 7 1/2in. (26.7 × 19.1cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1955-150,7B

DescriptionUpper right corner: "42"
Lower margin reads: "Une Crofretiere/ Ein Flaschnerin/ 1. Lampe à 12 chandelles. 1. ein lampe zu 12 liechtern. 2. grand etonnier. 2. ein großer Trichter. 3./ 2 grande plaque. 3. 2 Wandleuchter. 4. w couvercle. 4. 2 Deckel. 5. autre couvercle. 5. eine Stürge./ 6/ diverses sortes de lanterne. 6. alleren lantern. 7. boëtteaux épices. 7. ein Grourtz schachtel. 8. une/ rappe. 8. ein Rabeisen. 9. une Caffetiére. 9. eine Caffe Kanne. 10. petit entonnoir. 10. ein Kleiner Trichter./ 21. un chandelier. 11. ein leüchter. 12. une Théere.12. ein The Kane. 13. ein kleine lampe. / Cum Priv. Maj./ Mart. Engelbtrecht excud .A.V."
Label TextMartin Engelbrecht’s mid-18th century publication on trades included both a male and female illustration of each trade or profession in creative ways. Though they represent the tools that tradesmen used and the products they produced, they were meant to entertain elite audiences rather than inform about the labor involved in these trades or professions.This print represents an idealized version of a tinsmith. She carries items associated with tinsmithing on herr person as follows: 1. (on her head) lampe a 12 chandelles (holder for 12 candles); 2. (right hand) grand entonnoir (large funnel); 3. ( on upper part of both arms) 2 grande plaque ( large plaques); 4. (right shoulder) 2 couvercle (2 lids); 5. (waist) autre couvercle (another lid); 6. (waist) diverses sortes de lanterne (different kinds of lanterns); 7. (waist) boette aux epices (spice box); 8. (waist) une rappe (grater); 9. (waist) une Caffetiere (coffee pot); 10. (waist) petit entonnoir (small funnel); 11. (waist) un chandelier (candlestick); 12. (waist) une Theere (a teapot); 13.petite lampe (small lamp).

This print is from a series of 189 engravings consisting prints featuring depictions of tradesmen in the format known as composite figures, which are human figures made up of objects. Sometimes various accoutrements or tools are cleverly incorporated into recognizable garments or even replace body parts. Each plate represents different trades by trades men and women dressed with associated tools and products. They do not represent actual tradespeople nor are they meant to suggest that women participated in these trades, though in some cases they may have.They were designed by Johann Jacob Stelzner (1706-1780), C.F. Horstman and M. Rosler. They were etched by Martin Engelbrecht ( 1684–1756). The series was published in a compilation known as, From Martin Engelbrecht, "L' Assemblage nouveau des manouvries habilles or Neu-eröffnete Sammlung der mit ihren eigenen Arbeiten und Werkzeugen eingekleideten Künstlern, Handwerkern und Professionen," (Augsburg, Germany, ca. 1730).