Design for 1/4 of a Ceiling, and Ornamentation of a Section of a Vault 1700 - 1780

Here we have an anonymous design for a ceiling, a delicate dance of ink on paper. It offers a glimpse into a world of ornamentation, an echo of the values of its time. The drawing invites us to consider the social function of decoration. In an era where wealth and status were proclaimed through elaborate displays, interior design played a critical role in shaping social identities. The design probably intended for the home of a wealthy merchant, is covered with decorations to display the taste and wealth of the owner. Consider how the empty oval might have been designed to frame a portrait. These portraits were often of men, reinforcing the patriarchal social norms. The visual language of the design suggests a world where every surface was an opportunity to perform identity.