Armchair
1820–25
Medium
Walnut, walnut veneers, and poplar; modern upholstery
Dimensions
94.7 × 71.2 × 73.1 cm (37 1/4 × 28 × 28 3/4 in.)
Classification
seating
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
69842
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
In the years following the Napoleonic Wars, Austria played a crucial role in maintaining Europe’s political stability. Its conservative government suppressed political activism among the middle classes, encouraging them to focus instead on domestic comfort and family life. In response Vienna’s furniture makers adapted the grand Neoclassicism of earlier decades into a simpler, more modest style suited to middle-class use. Named after the fictional character Gottlieb Biedermeier—Bieder is German f...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...