Au Choix Design for a Ceiling 1700 - 1830

This is an ink and watercolor design for a ceiling made by an anonymous artist. The drawing offers us a glimpse into the decorative arts of a bygone era. Ceiling designs like this were integral to expressing social status in elite circles. Every element, from the floral garlands to the classical urns, spoke of wealth, taste, and cultural knowledge. The architecture and interior design of elite homes reinforced social hierarchies. The elaborate decoration was meant to impress upon those who entered the home, communicating power and privilege. However, such displays of opulence often hid complex social realities, like the labor and resources extracted to create these luxurious environments. Details might seem merely decorative, but when viewed through a lens of social history, they speak volumes about the values and inequalities of the time. How does it feel to imagine yourself in such a space?