Twee tafels 1800 - 1900

This lithograph presents two table designs, part of a series titled 'Le Nouvel Ameublement'. Printed in Paris, it offers a glimpse into the world of French interior design and the decorative arts industry. Notice how the image creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references. The tables, adorned with classical motifs, reflect the revival styles popular at the time. These designs speak to the aspirations of a particular social class, eager to display their refined taste and wealth through their home furnishings. The print itself, as a form of mass communication, highlights the growing importance of design dissemination and the rise of consumer culture. To fully understand the social conditions that shaped these designs, one would need to delve into trade catalogs, design journals, and the archives of furniture manufacturers. The meaning of art and design, after all, is contingent on its social and institutional context.