Plans, Elévations, et Profils de plusieurs Chaises
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-279-14
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Plans, Élévations, et Profils de plusieurs Chaises** by Richard de Lalonde captures the elegance of late 18th-century French design. Created between 1775 and 1788, this print showcases precise technical drawings—plans (top views elevations (front and side perspectives), and profiles—of various chairs. Active from 1780 to 1796, Lalonde was a French designer whose work reflects the neoclassical revival, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman forms amid the opulent Louis XVI era. As a print, this artwork served a practical purpose: disseminating sophisticated designs to cabinetmakers, upholsterers, and architects across Europe. Such pattern books were essential tools in the decorative arts, standardizing high-style furniture production during a time when interiors symbolized social status. Lalonde's meticulous lines highlight the era's shift toward lighter, more symmetrical forms, moving away from the heavier rococo curves. Today, housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection (purchased by the Advisory Council), this piece underscores the transatlantic influence of French design on global aesthetics. Though research continues, it invites us to appreciate how a simple print bridged artistry and craftsmanship, shaping the chairs we still admire in historic homes.