Armchair (one of a pair)

Art Historical Context

Step into the elegance of mid-18th-century Paris with this exquisite armchair, one of a pair crafted by Louis I Cresson around 1760. Fashioned from carved and gilded beechwood with lush olive green velvet upholstery, it measures a comfortable 40 3/8 x 30 1/4 x 24 inches, embodying the opulence of French aristocratic interiors. Cresson, a skilled Parisian menuisier (joiner), specialized in seat furniture, creating pieces that blended functionality with lavish decoration. This armchair reflects the Rococo style's playful exuberance during the late Louis XV era, just before the shift to Neoclassicism. Delicate floral carvings—highlighted by the gilding—adorn its frame, symbolizing nature's abundance and adding a touch of whimsy to grand salons. The gilded beechwood technique, where wood is meticulously carved then coated in gold leaf, elevated everyday furniture to sculptural art, reserved for the elite. A generous gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman in 1971, this piece now graces the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department. It offers visitors a tangible glimpse into Versailles-era refinement, where every curve invited both comfort and admiration.