Catálogo de los objetos presentados en la primera exposicion de artes decorativas 1881

This catalogue of objects displayed in the first exhibition of decorative arts was produced in Barcelona in 1888 by the successors of Ramirez y Ca. The catalogue is a printed book, and the typography on the cover shows a range of font types. The pages feel delicate, and you can almost smell the paper. The industrial revolution brought about advancements in printing technology, where this book was likely created using a mechanized printing press. The catalogue showcases the Instituto de Fomento del Trabajo Nacional, signaling a shift in the perception of decorative arts. This connects craft production with the burgeoning manufacturing industries of the time. The book blurs the lines between art and industry, showing an interest in the intersection of craft, design and materiality, while also highlighting the changing landscape of labor and artistic expression in the late 19th century.