Library for R.A. McCurdy, Morris Plaines, New Jersey, Elevations of Mantel and Furniture c. 1869

Peter Bonnett Wight rendered this pencil elevation of a library for R.A. McCurdy in Morris Plains, New Jersey. The focal point is the classical fireplace, flanked by symmetrical shelving. The fireplace, since antiquity, has been a symbol of the hearth, home, and domesticity. This harks back to the Roman goddess Vesta and her sacred fire, tended by priestesses, a symbol of the state's security. Here, the hearth, a stage for warmth and social gathering, sits in a library, implying the importance of knowledge, comfort, and familial bonds. Notice how the symmetry evokes a sense of balance and order, reinforcing a stable domestic environment, a concept that has shifted through time but remains deeply embedded in our collective memory. The architectural lines guide the viewer to imagine an inviting, safe space. The cultural memory associated with these archetypes continues to resonate, engaging viewers on a subconscious level with images that represent our basic emotional needs.