Bernkaste-Kues, a small courtyard that hasn’t changed since the 17th Century. Cobblestones, public spring, outdoor cafe.... who wouldn’t want to spend a lifetime here?
This is a great example of European history because it shows us something from the ordinary world of that time. Usually, all we see is the castle and cathedral, places of great wealth accumulated over centuries. With this vignette, however, we can see how the average person embraced
art in the everyday
.
In the little details, like the corbels in the top left corner, we can see how the average craftsman was adding embellishments to decorate their work, taking pride in what they did even though it wasn’t some grand building.
This is Europa. This is the legacy that we get to try and live up to. This is what happens when you demand quality, teach your children to appreciate quality, and work tirelessly to do the best that you can. When each man takes pride in his work, doing the best he can, this is what you create and then have to maintain down through the ages.
It starts with one person and grows from there, but it also needs the support of the whole, of the community. If the craftsman can’t pay his bills because every customer is flocking to the big box stores to save pennies, you don’t get this kind of beauty. Mass-produced items are designed to be quickly produced by machines and stack flat so they can maximize cargo space for shipping.
I work every day to help bring this sensibility back to the forefront of the public consciousness because I can see how people are hurting for it’s lack. We are creatures of art, aspiring to something greater, but have been convinced that art is a thing found only in museums.
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