Façade met pilasters 1788

This is "Façade met pilasters," an undated drawing by Antoine Carrée. The sepia ink on paper presents a symmetrical elevation of a shop front, dominated by a central doorway flanked by large windows. Carrée employs line and form to articulate depth and order. The pilasters, with their vertical fluting, frame the windows and door, establishing a rhythmic cadence across the façade. Above, a frieze of garlands and rosettes adds a decorative flourish, softening the otherwise rigid geometry. The drawing functions as both a practical blueprint and an aesthetic statement. It reflects the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and order, while also hinting at the decorative sensibilities of the Rococo period. The linear precision and balanced composition speak to a desire for clarity and control, reflecting the architectural and philosophical ideals of the time. The semiotic system of this façade is a cultural code representing luxury and commerce in 18th-century Paris. The interplay between form and function invites us to consider how design shapes our experience of space and commerce.