Secretaire met guirlande 1772 - 1779

This is Nicolas Dupin's 'Secretaire met guirlande', a design for a writing desk, created in the late 18th century. Dupin, who was born in 1753, lived in a time of increasing social and political upheaval in France. As an ornamental designer, Dupin would have been attuned to the changing tastes of the French aristocracy and bourgeoisie, who were increasingly seeking refined and elegant furnishings for their homes. The secretaire, or writing desk, was a popular item during this period, symbolizing both status and intellectual pursuits. This design speaks to the era's fascination with symmetry and classical motifs, visible in the geometric patterns and stylized garland. Consider the social context: the French Revolution was on the horizon, and the extravagance of the upper classes would soon come under intense scrutiny. Designs like these, while beautiful, also speak to the growing disparities in wealth and privilege that fueled the revolutionary fervor. As you look, think about how this image, a vision of luxury and refinement, exists on the cusp of radical change.