Ontwerp voor de titelplaat van L’Art Industriel c. 1830 - 1850

This is a design for the title page of ‘L’Art Industriel,’ produced by Firma Feuchère. It’s a pencil drawing on paper, a traditional medium for preparatory sketches. While the drawing seems conventional, the subject matter—industrial art—suggests a fascinating dialogue between the hand-drawn design and the machine-made object. The design depicts an elaborate architectural façade, complete with classical columns, arches, and relief sculptures. The words ‘ART INDUSTRIEL’ are emblazoned across the archway. The drawing's meticulous detail suggests the firm's vision to elevate industrial production to the level of fine art. This drawing testifies to the perceived tension between art and industry. By rendering the design by hand, Firma Feuchère underscores the value of human skill and creativity in an age of increasing mechanization. This complicates traditional distinctions between design and craft, suggesting the importance of both in creating meaningful objects.