Binnenwerk van het bovendeel van twee secretaires, beide in voor- en zijaanzicht met daaronder een doorsnede 1820

This delicate drawing shows the interior design of two secretaries, with front and side views, and a cross-section, made by Carl Wilhelm Marckwort. The designs offer us a glimpse into the aesthetic values of the time, as well as the societal roles assigned to domestic spaces. Notice the architectural elements like columns and arches. The checkerboard patterns lend a touch of whimsy to otherwise formal designs. During this period, interior design was not just about aesthetics; it reflected social status and personal identity. How did the choice of furniture and its arrangement communicate values or aspirations? How did the design reflect an idea about the people who would be using this furniture? The secretaire itself, a symbol of privacy and control over information, invites us to consider the relationship between personal space and social identity. Consider the role of gender in the creation and use of such spaces. How might the design of these secretaries cater to, or challenge, the gendered expectations of the time?