Variété de la grande lyre Porminex [?] before 1828

Pierre Félix van Doren created this drawing, "Variété de la grande lyre Porminex [?]", using graphite. In nineteenth-century Europe, the lyre was often used as a symbol of classical antiquity and the arts, connecting back to ancient Greek ideals. But beyond that, the lyre often took on a specifically national significance. For instance, in post-revolutionary France, musical and theatrical culture became tools for creating shared national identity. We see this in the design for the Sevres porcelain factory. This drawing may well have been a preparatory design for a larger decorative project, such as porcelain design. Institutions like the Sevres factory played an important role in standardizing artistic styles and tastes. Understanding the context of artistic institutions and national symbolism helps us interpret the social and political meanings embedded in seemingly simple images like this one. Research into the history of decorative arts and the role of state-sponsored factories would further illuminate the significance of this design.