Design for a Portion of Cornice and Ceiling 1700 - 1780

This drawing, "Design for a Portion of Cornice and Ceiling," was made anonymously, using traditional art materials. The sheet reveals an architectural elevation of an ornate interior, rendered in pen, ink, and wash. The artist used the inherent qualities of these materials to bring the design to life, deftly capturing the texture, weight, and form of the intended construction. The meticulous craftsmanship suggests the hand of a skilled artisan deeply familiar with period styles, such as baroque and rococo. Designs like this would have been generated to present to wealthy landowners, as part of a negotiation for the commission. They would then be passed on to the many tradespeople required to execute the project, from stone carvers to plasterers. Considered in this light, even a simple drawing can be seen to engage social issues of class, labor, and consumption. It is a testament to the collaborative effort that blurs the lines between art and craft.