Vase 1800 - 1900

This drawing of a vase, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, likely served as a design proposal, and although the artist is anonymous, its existence speaks volumes. Notice the intricate details: the ram's head handles, the swag of foliage, and the fluted body of the vase, all meticulously rendered with pen on paper. These are classical motifs that echo a grand tradition of European design. The drawing itself is a craft, a skilled practice of representation that translates an idea into a tangible form. But consider too, the labor involved in making such an object. The vase it depicts would probably have been cast in bronze or sculpted from marble; the drawing is evidence of design disseminated for mass production. It makes us think about the many hands that would be involved in bringing this object to life, and how their skills contribute to the final product. When we look at designs like this, we can begin to appreciate the complex relationships between art, labor, and production. It’s a reminder that the objects we encounter every day are the result of countless hours of work, skill, and creativity.