Armchair 1770 - 1785

This armchair was made in France by Sulpice Brizard sometime in the late 18th century. It is made of gilded and painted beechwood. In this period, furniture wasn’t just functional, it was a key signifier of social status. The elegance of the gilded frame and the quality of the upholstery speak to the wealth and taste of its owner. The chair's design also reflects the neoclassical style that was fashionable at the time, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art. To understand this piece, we might consider the social and economic conditions of pre-revolutionary France, a society defined by luxury and the rigid hierarchies of the court. The chair could be seen as a symbol of that world. By studying furniture makers' guild records, aristocratic inventories, and design treatises, we can uncover the fascinating history embedded in this seemingly simple object. This helps us to understand the complex relationship between art, society, and power.