Twee secretaires c. 1760 - 1765

This detailed drawing, titled "Twee secretaires" by J.L.Th. Baijer, presents two studies of ornate secretaries rendered with precision. Executed in an unknown year, the drawing is defined by its linear quality, emphasizing shape and form over tonal variation. The use of line creates intricate patterns, particularly in the decorative floral motifs. Baijer’s work calls attention to the structure of ornamentation, revealing an underlying grid that organizes each flourish. The meticulous detailing invites us to consider the relationship between surface embellishment and structural integrity. The drawing plays with the semiotics of furniture design, suggesting status and taste through visual codes. The secretaries, depicted both closed and open, offer a view into the spatial arrangements, challenging the fixed meanings associated with furniture as merely functional objects. Instead, Baijer invites us to see them as constructed spaces with symbolic value. This resonates with post-structuralist ideas of deconstructing established categories, highlighting the potential for furniture to communicate layers of cultural meaning.