Commode met leeuwenkop 1772 - 1779

Nicolas Dupin made this drawing of a commode, sometime before 1789. The commode's design is presented in a strictly frontal view, emphasizing its symmetrical layout. The structure is subdivided into horizontal registers marked by three drawers, with each segment featuring its own decorative program. The linear patterns create a vibrating surface across the drawers, contrasted by sculptural elements like the lion's head. This interplay destabilizes any singular reading of the object, challenging fixed ideas about ornamentation and functionality. Dupin uses the visual language of classical architecture, reinterpreting motifs to engage with new ideas about design and aesthetics. Consider how the drawing functions on multiple levels. Is it merely a functional design, or does it operate as a commentary on the shifting cultural values of the late 18th century? The piece exists in a state of tension, inviting us to consider what happens when established forms are repurposed to reflect a changing world.