Chair
1815–20
Medium
Walnut and modern replacement upholstery
Dimensions
93.7 × 48.3 × 50.2 cm (36 7/8 × 19 × 19 3/4 in.)
Classification
chair
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
69843
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This chair is an elegant example of the style of furniture made during the quarter century following the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815. During this period it was thought that a citizen’s principal duty was to live a quiet life: the home became a sanctuary where domestic values and family-centered activities were elevated and cherished. These virtues were exemplified in the popular press by a comic fictional character whose name, Biedermeier, eventually came to identify the period and its ar...
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...