Design for a Painted Ceiling 1800 - 1900

This "Design for a Painted Ceiling" was made with pen and brown wash over graphite, on paper, by an anonymous artist. Though it might appear to be a simple sketch, its ornament is elaborate. The artist has filled the composition with grotesque ornament, foliage, and cartouches. The overall design reveals the architectural context, offering a glimpse into the aesthetic values of its time. In terms of process, this kind of drawing was not “art for art’s sake,” but a plan for skilled laborers to execute. The drawing proposes a finished environment: imagine the labor of applying this design at a grand scale, onto plaster, high overhead. The visual distinction of the drawing lies in its ability to flatten the image, creating a two-dimensional plane for a decorative design. Through the artistic labor required to produce this design, traditional artistic skill is combined with decorative function, challenging our ideas around artistry.