Haardscherm en tafel c. 1830 - 1850

This drawing by Firma Feuchère depicts a design for a firescreen and table, rendered in pencil. The structure is primarily defined through delicate, linear precision. This calculated approach results in a stark, almost ghostly composition. The image's symmetry and precise lines echo classicism, yet the density of ornamentation pushes against this order. Note the almost obsessive detailing of floral motifs and classical figures that threaten to overwhelm the underlying structure. The drawing employs a semiotic system of signs and symbols, with classical elements functioning as cultural codes. This tension between order and ornament raises questions about value and representation. Does this over-embellishment enhance its cultural significance, or does it destabilize the established meanings of classical design? Ultimately, the drawing’s success lies in its formal tensions. The interplay between its classical roots and the density of its ornamentation invites continuous reinterpretation of cultural and aesthetic values.