Design for a Bookstand on Casters 1800 - 1850

Editor: This is a print, "Design for a Bookstand on Casters" dating from 1800-1850. It appears to be an etching by an anonymous artist. I'm struck by the isolation of the bookstand in the frame, like it’s the only important thing. What do you see in this piece, focusing on its formal elements? Curator: Initially, the delicate linework and the monochrome palette command attention. The etching medium lends itself to precise articulation of form. Notice how the artist uses line weight to create depth and shadow, especially in the curvature of the legs. It demonstrates a command of the graphic arts in representing three-dimensional space. Editor: It does seem quite architectural in its precision. What about the actual design of the bookstand itself? Curator: The object demonstrates Neoclassical elements. Observe the symmetrical balance of the supports, flanking each side. The tabletop has a certain geometric quality. The lines lead your eyes upward and towards the implied function. The formal rigor evident in the piece serves to emphasize clarity and order. What strikes you as unique about the bookstand design? Editor: Maybe it is that it has wheels and is able to move, making this rather sturdy design…mobile. So what, is it all about functionality? Curator: It’s difficult to be certain given the constraints of formalism and a lack of documentation about function. We can examine the form—lines, shape, composition—to better comprehend what the artist seeks to achieve, even when divorced from original function. But it leaves me considering how form always indicates possible function, what is implied if not concrete. Editor: It’s interesting to see how focusing on form leads to questions about function. Thanks, that perspective gives me a new appreciation for the print. Curator: And the study of this print and its composition can inform and provide us insight into the artistic and structural elements that endure.