beschilderd

Beschilderd is a Dutch adjective used to describe an object or surface that has been painted or decorated with paint. The term comes from the verb beschilderen, meaning to apply paint or decoration to a surface. The form beschilderd indicates a completed state, as in a wall, panel, or object that bears paint or painted decoration.

In practice, beschilderd is used across many contexts, including furniture, signage, architecture, and art. Common combinations include beschilderd hout (painted wood), beschilderde muur (painted wall), and beschilderde aardewerk (painted ceramics). It can refer to both functional painting, such as protective coatings, and purely decorative work.

Historically, beschildering has appeared in Dutch art and craftsmanship for centuries. Medieval and Renaissance wooden altarpieces and panels were frequently beschilderd with narrative scenes. In maritime settings, ships’ hulls and decks were often beschilderd with heraldic or decorative motifs. In ceramics, pottery and Delftware often feature beschilderde designs under glaze or overglaze.

Usage notes: beschilderd typically describes the result of painting, rather than the act itself (which is beschilderen). It functions as a descriptive state in inventories, museum labels, architectural descriptions, and everyday language. The concept is closely related to other terms such as schilderen (to paint) and versierd (ornamented), though beschilderd specifically emphasizes painted decoration.