Final answer:
Villard de Honnecourt believed that drawing and design were grounded in practical geometry, and his early drawings of interior and exterior elevations reveal this through their systematic use of geometry, reflecting the concept that form should follow function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Villard de Honnecourt, a 13th-century architect and engineer, believed the basis for drawing and design was the practical geometry used in construction and ornamentation. His drawings, some of the earliest known representations of interior and exterior elevations, show a deep understanding of geometric principles and the ability to systematize architectural elements. They also reflect the prevailing architectural ideas of the time, such as the importance of function in design, indicating the premise that form follows function, and reveal an advanced use of lines and grids in layout.
The renderings of Villard de Honnecourt showcase the architectural knowledge during the Gothic period, which featured basic geometric figures, simple ratios, and proportions. These drawings highlight the intricacy of design during this era and contribute to our understanding of medieval architectural practices. De Honnecourt's work precedes the lush ornamentation of the Louis XIV style, characterized by rich brocades and heavy gilding as popularized by Charles Le Brun in the Palace of Versailles.
Architects of the time were also influenced by the developments in the portrayal of human form with accuracy through careful observation and anatomical dissection, as well as the newfound mathematical calculation for accurate representation of physical space, origins of which can be traced back to experiments by Brunelleschi in the early 15th century.