Drie lantaarnlampen c. 1830 - 1850

This is a drawing of street lighting, made by the firm Feuchère. This design gives a sense of the civic aspirations of the 19th century. The drawing shows a complex layering of classical ornament, with putti figures at the top, then repeated classical motifs. The designs would have been expensive to produce, but these are meant for public use. The classical and antique style is no accident. It gives a sense of power, of longevity, and of course reflects that Europe was at the heart of a colonial project. The classical style was a very familiar one for an educated, ruling elite, in Europe. To understand the street lighting better, we need to understand the firm that made it, and the local politics that led to the commission. With more information we can better interpret the social and cultural context of this object.