Page from a Scrapbook containing Drawings and Several Prints of Architecture, Interiors, Furniture and Other Objects 1795 - 1805

This is a page from a scrapbook by Charles Percier, dating to no specific time, containing drawings and several prints of architecture, interiors, furniture and other objects. Percier was a leading architect and designer during the Neoclassical and Empire periods in France. Reflect on the scrapbook page as a visual repository of ideas and inspirations, offering us insights into the aesthetic values and cultural aspirations of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Consider the representation of domestic spaces and furnishings, and how they reflect the lifestyles of the privileged classes during this era. Ask yourself what these designs reveal about the relationship between art, power, and social status. Notice how the seemingly mundane act of collecting and arranging these images becomes a form of personal expression, reflecting Percier’s identity as an artist and designer. What does this scrapbook tell us about the creative process and the role of visual culture in shaping individual and collective identities?