Design drawing
ca. 1883, based on earlier design
Medium
Graphite, ink, and gouache (bodycolor)
Dimensions
sheet: 15 15/16 x 11 in. (40.5 x 27.9 cm)
Classification
Drawings|Ornament & Architecture
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 1992
Accession Number
1992.1046.9a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
Christopher Dresser's *Design Drawing* (ca. 1883), a captivating preparatory sketch from the Aesthetic Movement, showcases the innovative spirit of this pioneering Victorian designer. Often called the world's first independent industrial designer, Dresser blended Japanese influences with British manufacturing, creating elegant, functional ornaments for everyday objects like ceramics, textiles, and furniture. This sheet, rooted in an earlier design, reflects his forward-thinking philosophy of beauty accessible to all, bridging fine art and mass production during the late 19th century's design r...
About the Artist
Christopher Dresser · 1834–1904
Christopher Dresser (1834–1904) was one of the most innovative and prolific designers of the nineteenth century, widely regarded as a pioneer of industrial design long before that discipline had a name. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he trained at the Government School of Design in London, where he studied under leading educators committed to improving the quality of British manufactured goods. He wen...