Design for a Festival Display of Fireworks (recto); Small Figures by a different hand (verso) 1675 - 1785

Laurent Hubert created this pencil drawing, a design for a festival display of fireworks, sometime around the late 18th century. Dominating the composition are two grand, symmetrical structures reminiscent of triumphal arches. These architectural elements suggest power and celebration, framing what would have been a dazzling spectacle of light. Consider the recurring motif of the arch throughout history – from Roman monuments to Renaissance cityscapes, it signifies triumph, transition, and the promise of what lies beyond. The fireworks themselves, ephemeral bursts of light against the darkness, symbolize fleeting moments of joy and the transient nature of life, a Vanitas that reminds us of our mortality and the brevity of human experience. Even today, fireworks evoke a sense of wonder, awe, and collective effervescence. This design captures a moment of shared experience, inviting us to reflect on the cycles of celebration and remembrance that shape our cultural memory.