Bank met zwanenkoppen 1775 - 1797

Nicolas Xavier Willemin created this drawing, Bank met zwanenkoppen, with pen in brown ink. Its lines articulate the composition through different decorative furniture pieces and trim. The swan-headed bench dominates the scene, and its curved form is echoed in the upper decorative border featuring winged figures. This repetition gives the composition a harmonious symmetry. The bench’s legs form an ‘X’ shape, creating a dynamic tension that draws the eye. The architectural details in the lower section provide a solid base, contrasting with the bench’s airy design. Willemin uses line and form not just to depict objects but to create a visual language, where symmetry and contrast engage with ideas about classical design and elegance. The drawing destabilizes conventional distinctions between art and design, inviting us to reconsider how aesthetic principles can be applied across different domains.