Design drawing 1878 - 1888

Curator: This watercolor drawing, aptly named “Design drawing,” comes to us from the late 19th century and was created by Christopher Dresser, held here at the Metropolitan Museum. Editor: Oh, it’s playful! I’m struck by the boldness of the colors—almost psychedelic in their vibrancy—juxtaposed with those sharp geometric lines. The scale seems quite intimate, more of a study perhaps than a final product. Curator: Indeed, Dresser was a leading figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, and his fascination with botanical forms, coupled with his commitment to geometric abstraction, shines through here. He blurred the boundaries between art and design. Editor: Yes, and this blending feels intentional, reflecting the movement’s focus on accessible art for everyone. It counters the elitism of the traditional art world, offering creative design for the masses during an era when industrialization risked making beauty a privilege, don’t you think? Curator: Absolutely, I couldn't agree more. The colors—pink, yellow, turquoise—almost dance together, echoing a fascination with non-Western aesthetics. And then there’s the function—tile art. Editor: That brings up an interesting point: while Dresser certainly popularized design and advocated for art within reach of more people, some scholars contend the Arts and Crafts movement inadvertently solidified class divisions by producing objects that were expensive to produce, and, therefore, marketed toward the burgeoning middle classes. Curator: It’s a paradox at the heart of the movement—championing accessibility, yet often catering to privilege. Perhaps, in this “Design Drawing,” we glimpse the tension between those ideals and the realities of a changing society, where aesthetics are weaponized to signal status. It's something to mull over, certainly. Editor: A stimulating contradiction that makes this little watercolor reverberate with layers of complexity far beyond its size and, dare I say, prettiness. It speaks volumes!