Pair of candlesticks 1740 - 1750

Editor: We're looking at a pair of bronze candlesticks by Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier, dating from 1740 to 1750. The playful, asymmetrical design, with cherubic figures clinging to the stem, feels so extravagant! What historical factors influenced this exuberant style? Curator: The flamboyance you observe reflects the Rococo period’s embrace of the decorative and theatrical. Court culture was extremely concerned with elaborate etiquette and the display of wealth, a phenomenon profoundly influenced by the reign of Louis XV. Meissonnier, as a designer for the royal court, helped shape this aesthetic, didn't he? Editor: Yes, I recall learning about that. So, the candlestick isn't *just* a light source; it’s a statement about power and prestige? Curator: Precisely. Consider the implications of owning such ornate objects. These weren't for the masses; they signified access and status. Can you imagine where these objects would be displayed? Editor: I’m picturing a lavishly decorated palace interior, maybe Versailles. Displaying them would have been as important as their functional use. It also occurs to me how the market shaped the making of such luxurious commodities. Curator: A keen observation. As court patronage dwindled later in the 18th century, Rococo's influence expanded throughout Europe. Its aesthetic then transformed depending on the consumer of such precious objects. Editor: So, the Rococo style began as a very exclusive statement but later spread, transforming along the way? That makes a lot of sense! Thank you. Curator: Indeed! Seeing art as entangled with power dynamics can give a completely different appreciation.