Design for a Suite of Furniture, A Double-sided Sofa, Two Chairs and Two Armchairs (Verso: sketch for shelves and a mirror) 1800 - 1850

This graphite sketch on paper shows a design for a suite of furniture, including a double-sided sofa, two chairs, and two armchairs, created by an anonymous artist. Without knowing the artist's identity, we can only speculate about the personal experiences and beliefs that might have influenced their design. What we can see, however, is how the furniture reflects the values of domestic life. The double-sided sofa suggests a desire for connection and communication, with people facing each other in conversation. The chairs and armchairs, arranged around the sofa, create a sense of community and shared space. The sketch also evokes questions about who has access to well-designed furniture. Who is invited to relax, connect and converse? The design suggests a departure from more formal and rigid arrangements, emphasizing comfort and intimacy. It invites us to consider the relationship between furniture, social interaction, and personal expression. It also invites us to imagine the many social relations such furniture may have housed.