Medaillon met arabesken 1770 - 1780

This drawing presents an anonymous design for a medallion, made with pen in brown ink. The use of pen and ink, a relatively accessible medium, underscores its function as a preliminary sketch rather than a finished artwork. The design features a portrait within an oval frame, surrounded by stylized arabesques. The flowing lines and decorative elements highlight the importance of draughtsmanship in design. But it is important to remember that the qualities we admire in this drawing were originally conceived in the context of production. These arabesques and portrait medallions were destined to be translated into other media like metalwork, plaster, or textile. The meticulous detail suggests the skill required to translate such a design into a physical object, reminding us of the labor involved in craftsmanship, and challenging our notions of what is ‘high’ art and what is design. The value of this drawing lies not only in its aesthetic appeal but in its representation of the craft and design process.