Speeltafels 1784 - 1785

This print by de Saint-Morien presents us with two tables, delineated in fine lines against a muted background. The composition is structured around the geometry of these objects, emphasizing their form and the visual interplay between their shapes. Notice how the artist uses line and perspective not to create an illusion of depth but to highlight the tables' structural elements. The checkerboard pattern on the smaller table and the ornate detailing along the edges serve as visual cues, inviting us to consider the tables not just as functional items but as bearers of cultural meaning. This image challenges the traditional hierarchy between art and design. By presenting furniture as a subject worthy of artistic representation, de Saint-Morien destabilizes established categories and prompts us to rethink the relationship between form, function, and aesthetic value. The print is not merely a depiction; it's a statement about the cultural significance of design.