Armchair (part of a set of nine)
mid-18th century
Medium
Carved and painted walnut; Aubusson tapestry upholstery
Dimensions
Overall: 37 7/8 × 29 1/4 × 22 in. (96.2 × 74.3 × 55.9 cm)
Classification
Woodwork-Furniture
Culture
French
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Catherine D. Wentworth, 1948
Accession Number
48.187.714
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant armchair, part of a rare set of nine from mid-18th-century, embodies the opulent decorative arts of the Louis XV era. Crafted during the height of the Rococo style, it reflects the French aristocracy's love for comfort blended with lavish ornamentation. The chair's graceful curves and carved walnut frame, meticulously painted for added vibrancy, would have graced a grand salon, inviting leisurely conversation amid silk-draped walls. The frame's walnut wood is expertly carved with floral motifs and possibly animal elements, then painted to enhance its naturalistic details—a techni...