Cabriolet 1740 - 1758

This detailed drawing from an unknown hand depicts a cabriolet, a carriage known for its light structure and speed. Notice the diamond pattern adorning the interior; a motif echoing the harlequin’s costume, a figure deeply rooted in commedia dell’arte and festivals of misrule. The cabriolet itself, with its promise of swift movement and open-air experience, becomes a symbol of liberation. Think of how chariots appear in ancient Roman art, as symbols of triumph and power. The wheel, a constant across millennia, represents cyclical time and destiny. This seemingly simple design, with its diamond patterns and circular wheels, is not just a technical drawing; it’s a vessel carrying our collective hopes for freedom and perhaps, a touch of carnival chaos. These motifs remind us that our desires are constantly being reconfigured and re-presented in ways that deeply resonate with our shared past.