Rechthoekige tafel 1784 - 1785

This drawing of a rectangular table was made by Augustin Foin, sometime in the mid-18th century. The print is made using an engraving process. Incising lines onto a metal plate is highly skilled work; in Foin’s time, these linear designs were a mainstay of the print industry. Look closely and you can see how this process informs the image's appearance. The crisp lines create a sense of precision, ideal for representing fashionable furniture. The texture is smooth, but the cross-hatching adds depth, suggesting the play of light on the table’s surface. Though just a sketch, the design is remarkably detailed. Note the decorative garlands, medallions, and tapering legs - features that would have demanded a high level of craftsmanship in the execution. In the 1700s, such drawings were crucial for disseminating design ideas and fueling consumer demand. Prints like these are a reminder of how artistic skill, coupled with sophisticated techniques, could drive both taste and the economy.