Sketch of Foliate Decoration 1805 - 1840

William Pitts created this foliated decoration sketch with pen and brown ink in the early nineteenth century, probably in England. At the time, institutions like the Royal Academy Schools were central to shaping artistic production and taste. Pitts, as a student there, would have been steeped in the classical tradition. The flowing acanthus leaves and stylized flowers in this sketch reflect that influence, drawing on ancient Greek and Roman motifs. But these designs weren't just about aesthetics. They were meant for application - think decorative plasterwork or furniture embellishments. Artisans employed such sketches to elevate everyday objects. The sketch speaks to a burgeoning middle class with money to spend on decorative items, and a culture that saw industry and commerce as a good thing. Looking closely at Pitts' sketch, art historians can use design pattern books and trade catalogs to understand the social world in which it was made. Art always has something to say about the society from which it emerges.