Breakfront Bookcase 1715 - 1754

This drawing of a Breakfront Bookcase was made by Robert Morris. Trained as an engineer, and influenced by Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism, Morris had an astute understanding of form and structure. This drawing is likely a study for a sculpture. Morris was interested in the emotional impact of scale and form, and how our bodies relate to the space around them. How might this relate to the historical connotations of a bookcase? Historically, bookcases represent knowledge and status. They also evoke a sense of domesticity and power. By isolating the bookcase as a subject, Morris prompts us to consider the role of furniture in constructing identity and social class. He questions how everyday objects contribute to broader systems of power. Consider how the clean lines and simple form of this bookcase evoke both a sense of functionality, and a deeper consideration of the cultural values embedded within our environment.