Page from a Scrapbook containing Drawings and Several Prints of Architecture, Interiors, Furniture and Other Objects 1795 - 1805

Editor: So, this is "Page from a Scrapbook containing Drawings and Several Prints of Architecture, Interiors, Furniture and Other Objects" by Charles Percier, created between 1795 and 1805. It's ink, pen, watercolour, and print on paper. It looks a bit like scattered treasures, almost like looking into an architect's mind – kind of messy, but brimming with ideas. What do you see in it? Curator: Oh, I love that, “scattered treasures.” Perfectly put! To me, this page is a peek into Percier's design process, isn't it? It's like finding his personal mood board, where he’s sampling different styles and forms. The neo-classical, obviously, is strong but look at those swirling patterns! What kind of story do you think these individual architectural details try to evoke? What does each design evoke to you? Editor: They're intriguing... I’m getting a sense of grand halls and elegant furniture, but then also these…almost whimsical flourishes, very ornate and evocative of something beyond practicality, like pure aesthetic delight? Curator: Precisely! Percier was a key figure in shaping the Empire style. Seeing these elements together on a single page suggests he's grappling with those classical ideals and finding space for imagination. Editor: It’s really helpful to think of it as him figuring things out – much more dynamic than a finished piece. Curator: Right! It removes this intimidating sense of perfection and shows a much more approachable version of this great artist experimenting. It's all a bit cobbled together but somehow it creates this incredible mood and shows the roots of these distinct stylistic ideas in the works of this designer. Editor: Yeah, looking at art as this messy process really humanizes it. Curator: Exactly, sometimes art is really found within this act, rather than just this final pretty little object to put on the wall and admire. There is just so much process and effort, experimentation and learning! And it’s inspiring. Editor: Totally. I’ll never look at scrapbooks the same way! Thanks!