Twee wandtafels met rocailles c. 1730 - 1775

Curator: Here we have a print entitled “Twee wandtafels met rocailles,” which translates to “Two wall tables with Rocaille.” The print is from somewhere between 1730 and 1775, and the artist is, unfortunately, unknown. It’s made using pen, engraving, and drawing techniques on paper. Editor: My first impression? Elegant, but almost diagrammatic. It's interesting to see furniture represented with such linearity, rather than pictorially. The lines almost have a mathematical quality, while simultaneously depicting pure, aesthetic pleasure. Curator: It’s a Rococo design, known for its ornamental and theatrical style, quite a departure from the structured lines in Neoclassical forms that followed. Look at the emphasis on curves and counter-curves. These flowing forms evoke nature, think of shells and pebbles, even flowing water. This yearning for nature echoes a desire to leave the formal gardens and immerse oneself in something less controlled and geometric. Editor: Precisely! Note how these repeated curving elements function. The forms create visual pathways across the top and down the legs, yet those sharp contrasts give it structure. They keep the object from dissolving into pure whimsy. How do you interpret the symmetrical nature of this ornamental Rococo piece in relationship to nature? It's ordered rather than organic in its form. Curator: Ah, yes, while they reference natural elements, symmetry reigned supreme in formal Rococo designs for high society. The elite still wanted that underlying control; this decorative print offered patrons options on a new style of luxury and fashionable aesthetic without totally abandoning order. Consider the potential emotional appeal these prints provided, displaying taste, wealth, and aspirations towards sophistication for its buyer and social circles. Editor: I agree entirely. And even though it depicts functional objects, the focus on ornamentation overshadows practicality. Function follows form in its purest sense. A celebration of visual exuberance! Curator: Ultimately, this print captures the Rococo style beautifully; not just the physical attributes of the furniture but also the desires and ideals it represented in society. Editor: A beautiful blend of structural composition and an invitation to envision the lifestyle of 18th-century patrons!