Harcourt House Cavendish Square, The Dining Room 1880

Here we see Henry Hodge’s pencil rendering of the dining room at Harcourt House, a residence of the Duke of Portland. The room's design, with its repeated panels, moldings, and symmetrically placed doors, speaks to a desire for order and control, reflecting the social hierarchy of its time. Notice how the heraldic motifs above the fireplace and doors – symbols of family lineage and power – resonate with ancient traditions of displaying emblems to assert dominance. Think of the Roman emperors whose symbols were meant to awe and unite. Such displays trigger a subconscious recognition, a primitive instinct to acknowledge authority. The emptiness of the room is striking; it lacks a human presence, creating an atmosphere of anticipation. It mirrors the stage before the actors appear. This use of space and symbolism plays with our collective memory, evoking feelings tied to social standing and perhaps even longing for belonging.