Commode met masker 1772 - 1779

This is a design for a commode, or chest of drawers, made in France by Nicolas Dupin in the late eighteenth century. The commode is ornamented with a mask, exemplifying the tastes of the French upper classes on the eve of revolution. But this drawing also shows us the important role played by institutions like the *Académie royale d'architecture*. Founded in 1671, it controlled architectural and design standards in France. Talented designers like Dupin trained in the *Académie* system, where they learned the skills of drawing and design. The *Académie* also provided a venue for display. Note the plate number, indicating that this design was part of a larger series intended for publication. By understanding the institutions that shaped design in eighteenth-century France, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the social context in which objects like this commode were produced and consumed. To learn more, look into the history of the *Académie royale d'architecture* and the French decorative arts industry.