Ontwerp voor een secretaire c. 1820 - 1823

Carl Wilhelm Marckwort rendered this design for a "secretaire," or writing desk, in pen and brush with gray ink and watercolor. The desk embodies the structured elegance sought after during the Neoclassical movement. What does this piece suggest about the cultural values placed on knowledge, privacy, and artistry at the time? Consider the desk not just as a functional object, but as a statement of identity and status. The Neoclassical style was favored by the elite; therefore, having such a piece of furniture would have indicated wealth, education, and refined taste. How might the design of the desk reflect gendered roles and expectations? Did its design invite an environment of domesticity for women, or was it a reflection of an active professional life for men? By thinking about the secretaire in these terms, we can start to explore how this piece could be more than just a desk, and a reflection of social and cultural identities.