Ornamentele randen, een stoel, een zwaard, een bijzettafel en een bureau 1817

This drawing presents ornamental borders alongside furniture, including a chair, sword, side table, and desk, by Pietro Ruga. These objects, rendered in precise lines, speak volumes about the era’s aspirations towards order and refinement. Reflect on how the sword, traditionally a symbol of power and status, is placed in relation to domestic items. This juxtaposition invites us to consider the shifting dynamics of power and domesticity. Moreover, the ornamental borders suggest a world striving for beauty through control. What does it mean to impose such rigid patterns onto the natural world?   Consider this drawing not just as a depiction of objects, but as a reflection of societal values. How are we implicated in this pursuit of order and beauty?