Furniture Design 1565 - 1570

Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau created this furniture design using pen and ink in the 16th century. This piece offers us a fascinating glimpse into the world of French Renaissance design and its broader cultural context. The drawing showcases the classical influences that were then shaping elite tastes in France. We see a symmetrical facade, niches for statuettes, and classical figures reclining on the roofline. These elements spoke to the patron’s status and education. The design reflects the growing importance of display and courtly life at that time. Studying drawings like this gives art historians insight into the social and institutional forces that shaped artistic production. We learn about not only the artists themselves but also the patrons, workshops, and systems of education that supported them. By delving into period documents, such as architectural treatises, household inventories, and records of royal commissions, we can better understand the world in which this design thrived.