Desk c. 1938

Francis Borelli, born in 1855, created this rendering of a Desk at an unknown date using graphite and watercolor on paper. Borelli was active during a time of significant industrial and social change, as well as the rise of design reform movements. This desk, with its elegant, slender legs and compact form, speaks to evolving notions of domestic space and identity. It is a kind of re-imagining of traditional forms, and invites us to consider shifting societal values. As women gained more autonomy, furniture pieces like this desk became increasingly important, offering them private spaces for managing correspondence and personal affairs. With its clean lines, the desk represents a departure from the more ornate styles of the past. It suggests a desire for simplicity and functionality. The wood grain is both decorative and functional; it speaks to the beauty and utility of the object. The desk offers a glimpse into the changing landscape of domestic life and personal expression, reflecting both the aesthetic preferences and social dynamics of the time.