Design for a Wall Panel 1760 - 1825

Jean Démosthène Dugourc made this design for a wall panel in pen and black ink, likely in France. While it’s just a drawing, it gives us a glimpse into the world of interior decoration in the late 18th century. The material itself, paper, is humble, but the design speaks of luxury. It’s a plan for architectural ornament, maybe stucco or carved wood, intended to adorn the homes of the wealthy. The symmetrical patterns, classical figures, and elaborate foliage all evoke a sense of opulence. Look closely, and you can almost see the hands of the artisans who would have translated this design into reality, the plasterers, and the sculptors. The amount of work involved in producing a panel like this would have been considerable, providing employment for skilled workers, while reinforcing the status of the elite patrons who commissioned it. This drawing isn't just a design, it's a diagram of social relations, of labor and class, captured in ink.