Design for a bed

Art Historical Context

Created in 1527 by the German artist Daniel Hopfer, this etching presents an elaborate design for a bed complete with human figures that bring the scene to life. As a work classified under Ornament & Architecture, it reflects the Renaissance interest in decorative furnishings that blended utility with artistic expression. Hopfer’s precise lines capture the intricate details of the bed’s structure, suggesting a piece intended for a wealthy patron. Etching, a relatively new printmaking technique in the early sixteenth century, allowed artists like Hopfer to achieve fine, fluid lines that were difficult to obtain with engraving. This medium proved ideal for sharing ornamental designs across workshops and regions. The presence of human figures adds narrative warmth, hinting at the bed’s role not only as furniture but as a centerpiece of domestic life. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, this sheet offers modern viewers a glimpse into sixteenth-century tastes and craftsmanship. Its bequest by Phyllis Massar ensures that such rare design studies remain accessible for study and appreciation.

About the Artist

Daniel Hopfer · 1471–1536

Daniel Hopfer (c. 1470–1536), born in Kaufbeuren, was the son of the painter Bartholomäus Hopfer and Anna Sendlerin. He relocated early to Augsburg, becoming a citizen and master painter there in 1493, and trained as an etcher of armor in this thriving center of arms production. By 1505, he owned a house in the city center and served on the guild committee for smiths, which encompassed painters an...