Tuinbank in Marotstijl (zitting) c. 1700 - 1750

This garden bench in Marot style was made in the Netherlands from oak, but its exact date and maker are unknown. The bench’s design is rooted in the Marot style, a variation of Baroque that was prevalent in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Marot was named after the French architect and designer Daniel Marot, who worked for the court of Louis XIV before later moving to the Netherlands and England. The bench embodies the key characteristics of the style, with symmetrical designs, classical references, and elaborate detailing. Garden benches like these, found in the gardens of wealthy Dutch families, show the cultural influence of the French court on Dutch society at the time. To find out more about the history of furniture design, you might consult design history journals, museum collections, and historical archives. These sources will help you situate this bench in its broader cultural and historical context. Remember that the meaning and significance of any work of art is tied to its time and place.