Ceiling design for the Library, Stuffynwood Hall, Derbyshire 1852 - 1862

John Gregory Crace designed this ceiling for the library in Stuffynwood Hall, Derbyshire. The drawing presents a geometric pattern and an emphasis on symmetry, very typical of interior designs for English country houses during the 19th century. Crace, as a prominent figure in interior design, navigated the complex social landscape of Victorian England. His work for the elite, such as this commission, provided spaces that reflected their status and taste. However, the labor and materials needed for such designs often relied on a workforce whose stories are rarely told. This piece is very evocative of class division and social hierarchies. The design serves as a reminder of the layers of identity and history embedded in domestic spaces. It invites us to consider the silent narratives of those whose labor contributed to the creation of such environments, and to reflect on the power structures that shape our surroundings.