Armchair 1786 - 1791

This ornate armchair, made by Beauvais, offers a glimpse into the complex narratives woven into 18th-century French design. During this era, France was expanding its colonial reach into the Americas. The tapestry on the chair back depicts romanticized and exoticized images of Indigenous peoples. It reflects the period’s fascination with the ‘noble savage’—a concept that simultaneously admired and othered non-European cultures. The tapestry aestheticizes Indigenous life, presenting a European fantasy rather than an accurate portrayal. Consider the power dynamics at play here: the chair itself would have been a symbol of wealth and status, enjoyed by the French elite, while the imagery flattens the identities of those being colonized. This armchair serves as a potent reminder of how art and design can perpetuate skewed narratives and reflect the complicated intersections of race, class, and colonial history.