Design for Vis-A-Vis Carriage 1865 - 1875

This design for a Vis-à-Vis carriage was rendered with pen and watercolor. It reflects a time when personal transportation was not just about getting from A to B, but also about displaying social status. The design offers us insights into the cultural values of the time, particularly concerning social interaction and display. The "Vis-à-Vis" configuration, with seats facing each other, encouraged conversation and emphasized the social aspect of travel, turning the simple act of moving into a public performance. The design is also suggestive of a culture deeply invested in maintaining social hierarchies. The carriage itself, an exclusive commodity, signifies wealth and status. To fully appreciate this design, it's necessary to delve into the history of transportation and social customs. Such research helps us understand not only the design, but also the society that produced and used these carriages. This artwork is a reminder that art and design are always embedded in a complex web of social and institutional histories.