Pair of armchairs 1780 - 1790

These armchairs were crafted by Nicolas Delaporte during a period of immense social and political upheaval in France. Delaporte lived through the reign of Louis XV and XVI, the French Revolution, and the rise of Napoleon. Imagine these armchairs in the homes of the French aristocracy, a symbol of their power and privilege. The chair’s delicate floral patterns and refined structure speak to the aesthetics of the era but they also underscore the sharp divisions within French society, where such comfort was unimaginable for the vast majority. During this period, the labor of enslaved people in the colonies fueled France’s wealth, which allowed artisans like Delaporte to create such luxurious items. The opulence of these chairs thus belies a darker history of exploitation and inequality. How can we reconcile the beauty and craftsmanship of these armchairs with the knowledge of the social injustices that enabled their creation?