Tafel en chiffoniere 1772 - 1779

Nicolas Dupin made this drawing, "Tafel en chiffoniere," without a specified date using pen and gray ink. We can see the emphasis on detailed design that was a feature of the period. But what did it mean to record and disseminate design in this way? This image offers a window into the world of 18th-century French design and its relationship to social class and institutional power. The drawing showcases a design for luxury furniture, reflecting the opulence and taste of the French aristocracy before the revolution. The precise lines and attention to detail speak to the importance of craftsmanship and the value placed on these objects by the elite. The drawing is also a product of its time, reflecting the growing influence of design academies and the professionalization of the applied arts. By studying this image, along with archival records of furniture production, we can learn more about the social networks that shaped the creation and consumption of luxury goods in pre-revolutionary France.