Frame van bank 1784 - 1785

This delicate print by Pierre Claude Delagardette depicts the design for a 'Frame van bank', or sofa frame. Though undated, it was likely made in France in the 1770s, before Delagardette’s untimely death at only 39. As a draftsman, Delagardette produced designs for all kinds of architectural elements, from entire buildings down to interior details like this sofa. His career coincided with the rise of neoclassicism, a style that looked back to the art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. The bench design shown here reflects a desire for simplicity, order, and symmetry. Prints like this were not conceived as artworks in themselves, but rather served a practical function, disseminating new styles to a broad audience. Builders, furniture makers, and their wealthy clients relied on such images to keep abreast of the latest trends. Understanding the context in which it was produced allows us to appreciate this image as a historical document, one that reveals the aesthetic tastes and social practices of its time. We can consult publications, archives, and period accounts to learn more about the role of design in shaping social life in 18th-century France.