Ornament c. 1830 - 1850

Firma Feuchère sketched this ornament using graphite. The design reflects a period when the decorative arts experienced revivals, such as that of Renaissance and Gothic styles. Consider the cultural context from which such ornament emerged. These designs were destined to adorn spaces inhabited by specific social classes. Their appeal to wealth and status raises questions about access, privilege, and the socio-economic disparities of the time. How does the intricacy of the design speak to cultural notions of beauty and craftsmanship? These ornamental forms, although seemingly innocent, were part of a visual language of power. They dictated who belonged and who was excluded, shaping identities. Think about how spaces shape our interactions, and consider what part ornament plays in reinforcing or subverting the social and cultural norms of those spaces. It's a place where the personal and the political intersect.