Journal des Luxus und der Moden 1786, Band I, T. 7 1786

This is a print from Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s "Journal des Luxus und der Moden," dating back to 1786. The work, rendered in delicate lines, presents a meticulously detailed elevation of a Neoclassical sofa. Observe how Bertuch uses line and form to dissect the furniture into its essential components. Each segment—the elegantly curved back, the geometrically precise legs, and the oval inset—is rendered with exacting detail. The interplay of straight lines and curves creates a balanced visual rhythm, a testament to the Neoclassical pursuit of order and reason. The print serves not just as an aesthetic representation but as a semiotic system. The sofa, in its design and form, speaks to the cultural values of the time: luxury, refinement, and a distinct separation of the domestic sphere. This encoding of status through design reflects broader philosophical concerns about social structure. In its geometric clarity, the work functions as a window into the era's aspirations for order.