Drawing for an iron stairway with marble treads 1800 - 1900

This drawing for an iron stairway with marble treads exists as an anonymous work on paper, acquired by the Met in New York. Consider the era in which this design might have emerged. During periods of industrial advancement, iron became a symbol of progress and modernity, yet the incorporation of marble treads speaks to a desire to merge this new technology with classical aesthetics. The design reflects a moment of negotiation between industrial capabilities and established notions of luxury and status. Although the artist is unknown to us, we can still ponder on what this drawing says about the cultural values placed on architecture. Architectural drawings are often sites of collaboration, where design ideas are exchanged and constructed. The artist gives us an idea of the ceiling part of the landing 'that is to say the iron work which supports the marble', it is easy to wonder about who 'Marthe' might have been. This drawing encapsulates how architecture can serve as a powerful tool for expressing identity and solidifying social hierarchies.