Modeltekeningen van vazen en kannen 1780 - 1849

This sheet of model drawings of vases and jugs was made by David-Pierre Giottino Humbert de Superville with pen and brown ink. Here we see a variety of vessels, sketched with a quick hand. It is important to remember that drawings like this were not considered artworks in their own right, but rather a means to an end. These studies were preparatory exercises for the production of ornamental objects, probably in ceramic. Consider the relationship between Humbert de Superville’s fine draftsmanship, and the work of the artisans who would ultimately bring these designs into three dimensions. The production of these pieces would have involved not only skilled labor, but also the extraction of raw materials, the operation of kilns, and the distribution of finished goods. All of this speaks to the larger economic context of production. Drawings like this are a reminder that even seemingly straightforward acts of design are embedded in complex systems of labor, politics, and consumption. They challenge our traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, concept and execution.