Secretaire met deksel 1772 - 1779

This is Nicolas Dupin’s "Secretaire met deksel," a drawing made sometime between 1753 and 1789. In this period, furniture design was heavily influenced by the French Rococo style, known for its elegance and opulence, reflecting the aristocratic tastes of the time. Dupin’s work provides a glimpse into the world of 18th-century craftsmanship and the intimate spaces of the elite. This piece may seem like a simple design for a writing desk but it raises questions about gender roles. A secretaire was a common piece of furniture in the homes of wealthy women, who used it for correspondence and managing household affairs. The design and placement of these desks within the domestic space underscores the complex negotiations of power, intellect, and domesticity in the lives of women in the 1700s. As you consider this drawing, reflect on the silent stories held within the walls of grand houses, and the lives, seen and unseen, that animated them.