Plattegrond van de begane grond van het huis van Léon Berthous in Bayonne 1738 - 1749

This is Juste Aurèle Meissonnier’s floor plan of Léon Berthous’ house in Bayonne, made with etching on paper. Consider the nature of this print. It is a means of distributing architectural information - a design made accessible to others. This speaks to a growing professionalization of design in the 18th century. Prior to this, architectural knowledge was often held within guilds and passed down through apprenticeship. Meissonnier’s print suggests a shift towards a more open exchange of ideas, fuelled by the rise of print culture. The plan itself offers insight into the domestic life of the period, revealing a clear hierarchy of spaces, from the grand staircase to the kitchen. The level of detail – even including the location of the cellar stairs – suggests a concern for efficiency and order, reflecting the values of the Enlightenment. By examining the materials and methods of production, we gain a richer understanding of the social and cultural forces that shaped this seemingly simple floor plan. It blurs the boundaries between design, craft, and fine art.