Livre de Tables de Diverses Formes 1716

This print of a table design was made by Jean Bernard Toro, sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century. It's rendered in graphite and black ink, on paper. The artistry here lies in the drawing itself. Notice the fine lines that delineate the table's form, which is elaborate, ornamented with cherubs and foliage. It’s a design intended for execution in wood, stone, or perhaps even metal. The question, though, is how many artisans would be required to bring this drawing to life? A whole supply chain of specialists, surely – carvers, gilders, finishers. The design embodies the opulence of the era, but it also speaks to the division of labor that underpinned it. We tend to think of design as a purely intellectual exercise. But it only becomes meaningful when it meets the hand, the tool, and the material. Next time you see a drawing like this, try to imagine all the work it represents.