Design for a Stage Set or Illustration in a Fête Book with a Blank Scroll Above 1700 - 1800

This is an anonymous design for a stage set or illustration in a fête book, made with pen and brown ink, and black chalk on laid paper. Such drawings functioned within a highly structured court culture. Festivities, or fêtes, were extravagant displays of power and wealth, carefully designed to reinforce the social hierarchy. Think about how the architecture frames and elevates the figures within, visually enacting a specific power dynamic. The blank scroll at the top suggests an intention to personalize the scene, perhaps with a dedication to a specific noble family. Consider the emotional register of these events. While seemingly celebratory, these fêtes served as a reminder of one’s place in society. The drawing captures this tension, a blend of spectacle and social control, reflecting the complex interplay between identity, performance, and power.