Designs for Four Decorated Tables. 1723 - 1808

Antonio Asprucci designed these four tables on this sheet with pen and brown ink with gray wash, sometime in the 18th century. The symmetrical arrangement of tables and tabletops presents a study in form and function, characteristic of neoclassical design. The draughtsman plays with circular and linear elements. Each tabletop is carefully inscribed within a circle, contrasting with the linear structures of the table legs. Asprucci uses line to create both two-dimensional patterns on the tabletops and to suggest the three-dimensional forms of the tables themselves. The variations in leg design—from the simple, straight supports to more ornate, curved structures—demonstrate an exploration of structural possibilities within a formal framework. Asprucci’s design reflects the classical revival, where symmetry and proportion were paramount. This drawing is not just a functional design but a study in geometric relationships and neoclassical ideals.