Schrijftafels 1857 - 1859

This is Pierre Joseph Hubert Cuypers' drawing, ‘Schrijftafels,’ presently held at the Rijksmuseum. The work is a study of writing tables rendered with graphite on paper. Initially, one is struck by the drawing's precise lines, the geometric clarity of its forms, and the near absence of shading. Cuypers presents us with a composition that is both a technical illustration and an exploration of form. Notice how each element, from the legs to the tabletop, is delineated with meticulous care, revealing not just the object's shape but also its construction. Cuypers applies a structuralist approach by breaking down the furniture into its essential components, inviting us to consider how these parts come together to form a functional whole. The drawing provides more than just a visual representation; it offers a semiotic exploration of design and utility. It asks us to engage with the underlying structures that give rise to everyday objects. This piece invites us to see beyond the surface and appreciate the complex interplay of form and function inherent in design.