Two alternate projects for a Cornice 1700 - 1780

This ink and wash drawing called 'Two Alternate Projects for a Cornice' is currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Without knowing the author, it's difficult to know the specific context from which this drawing emerged. Nonetheless, we can examine the drawing itself as an articulation of power, class, and artistry during its time. Cornices, as architectural elements, often signified wealth and status; only those with considerable economic means could afford such ornamentation. The drawing presents not one, but two options, indicating a decision-making process that underscores a patron's or architect's aesthetic and financial considerations. The detailed rendering suggests a designer deeply immersed in the artistic conventions of the period, likely working within a system where artistry and craftsmanship were intertwined with social hierarchies. Consider what this drawing embodies: it is not just about architectural design, but about the power dynamics inherent in creating spaces that reflect and reinforce societal structures. The artistry and labor required to imagine and execute such designs speak volumes about the historical and cultural values placed on aesthetics and status.