Design for a Desk with Decorations from " A Midsummer Night's Dream" 1851

This is G. Clark Stanton's "Design for a Desk with Decorations from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'," made in the 19th century. The drawing, primarily in graphite, uses a structured approach to depict a desk adorned with scenes from Shakespeare's play. The desk's form is sharply geometric, with a triangular body and a cuboid support column, creating a rigid structure that contrasts with the fluid, organic figures. The composition uses this dichotomy of form to frame the narrative elements of the play. The scenes, rendered with intricate detail, explore themes of illusion and reality, reflecting the play's exploration of dreams and the subconscious. The linear quality of the graphite emphasizes a graphic approach to the tableau, underscoring the literary and theatrical origins of the design. The piece’s structure and organization invite us to consider how design can mediate between the abstract and the representational, and how the visual language of art can interpret and reframe a literary work.