Sofa
1795–1805
Medium
furniture
Classification
furniture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-1502
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant sofa, crafted by Italian architect and designer Giuseppe Barberi (6–1809) 1795 and 1805, exemplifies the neoclassical furniture style that swept Europe at the turn of the 19th century.i, a prominent figure in Rome's design scene, drew inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman motifs, blending them with refined proportions and luxurious materials typical of the period. As furniture rather than a painting or sculpture, this piece highlights how everyday objects became canvases for artistic expression, reflecting the era's fascination with antiquity amid the Enlightenment's emphasis o...