Serre Papier 1772 - 1779

This delicate etching from the 18th century by Nicolas Dupin depicts a "Serre Papier", a writing desk, its design embodying the spirit of its time. Observe the recurring motif of the stylized rosette, repeated along the frieze, and at the top of each leg. This rosette, though seemingly simple, carries echoes of ancient floral symbols. From the rosettes adorning the palaces of Crete to their later use in Roman architectural details, it symbolizes growth and renewal, evoking a sense of timeless elegance. Now, consider its recurrence here. Is it merely decorative, or does it subtly suggest the perpetual rebirth of knowledge and ideas within the confines of this very desk? Perhaps, subconsciously, the designers and patrons of such pieces sought to imbue their spaces with the aura of classical learning. The rosette, thus, becomes a silent witness to the dance between tradition and innovation, a relic of the past made anew in each generation.