Decorative Design with Putti and Griffins n.d.

Alfred Stevens rendered this decorative design with graphite on paper. Stevens, who was born in Belgium but spent much of his career in Paris, lived in a world which was rapidly changing, shaped by industrialization and shifting class structures. This drawing encapsulates the 19th century's fascination with historical styles, particularly the Renaissance. The putti and griffins are borrowed from classical antiquity, but the overall design reflects the opulence and grandeur favored by the bourgeoisie. The composition suggests a desire to reconnect with an idealized past, perhaps as a means of legitimizing its own social standing. What does it mean to re-stage history, and who is included, and excluded, in that staging? The drawing's precision speaks to the artist's technical skill. It also invites us to think about the emotional investment of the artist and the values that are embodied in this decorative vocabulary.