Stoel c. 1830 - 1850

This drawing of a chair was produced by Firma Feuchère with pencil. The graphite softly renders complex forms and ornate shapes, allowing the eye to appreciate the intricate design details of this chair. The pencil has a directness that invites us to consider the link between the hand of the maker and the object itself. The drawing offers insight into the social and cultural significance of furniture design. This emphasis on ornamentation reflects a time when furniture was seen as a symbol of status, wealth and taste, and suggests the amount of design work that would have been required in the production process. In understanding an artwork like this, we can challenge traditional notions of design and craft, and reflect on the amount of work involved in the production process.