Page from a Scrapbook containing Drawings and Several Prints of Architecture, Interiors, Furniture and Other Objects 1795 - 1805

This is a page from a scrapbook by Charles Percier, created at the turn of the 19th century, containing drawings and prints of architecture, interiors, furniture and other objects. Percier was working during a period of massive social upheaval, during and after the French Revolution, which dramatically reshaped social structures and cultural values. Notice the collection of architectural sketches and studies of interior designs. These drawings were not just about aesthetics; they were about creating spaces that reflected the values and aspirations of a new era. As one of the main architects of Napoleon, Percier was involved in visualizing the identity and power of the new empire. Consider how these designs might represent an attempt to create a new visual language that spoke to the values of a post-revolutionary society, even as it perpetuated the structures of power. In his drawings, Percier was shaping not just buildings but also the cultural and political landscape of his time. His scrapbook offers a glimpse into the negotiation between artistic vision and socio-political context.