Cirkelvulling met bladmotieven 1703

This tiny design, titled "Cirkelvulling met bladmotieven", was made by Pierre Bourdon around 1700, likely as a proposal for metalwork. The drawing is executed with crisp lines, using ink on paper to create a symmetrical pattern of stylized leaves and ornaments, set against a dark background. The precision of the work suggests it was intended for reproduction, perhaps as a template for chasing or engraving on metal. Bourdon's design reflects the period's taste for detailed, organic forms, but it also speaks to a wider shift in the decorative arts. Designs like this fuelled increased production and consumption. The intense labour required to translate this drawing into metal was offset by the fact that once realised, the design could be multiplied almost endlessly. Considering this piece, we can appreciate how the act of design, combined with skilled execution, played a crucial role in shaping early modern material culture.