Drawing of an Interior: Salle à manger 1857

This watercolor titled "Drawing of an Interior: Salle à manger" offers a glimpse into a domestic space through the eyes of an anonymous artist. The work serves as a window into the private life of the upper class, and the gendered roles and social expectations of the time. The interior is meticulously rendered, from the chandelier to the paintings on the walls, providing a tableau of the aesthetic values of the bourgeoisie. The presence of a bust of a black figure stands out amidst the Eurocentric artworks and furnishings. It prompts us to consider the complex dynamics of race, class, and representation within this domestic sphere. The artist's choice to focus on an interior space invites us to reflect on the emotional and psychological dimensions of domesticity, and the ways in which power structures permeate even the most intimate settings.