Drie stoelen after 1878

Here we see a lithograph titled "Drie stoelen," or "Three Chairs," produced by an anonymous artist in 19th-century France. The print showcases chairs from "Le Magasin de Meubles," a furniture store in Paris. These chairs, intended for a salle, or room, are more than mere objects; they are expressions of social status. The designs, with their varying degrees of ornamentation, speak to the era's fascination with historical styles and its burgeoning consumer culture. The rise of furniture stores and illustrated catalogs democratized access to design, but also codified social distinctions through taste. To understand this print, we might explore archives of French design, trade publications, and social histories of consumption. Art historians reveal the complex interplay between aesthetics, commerce, and social identity. Through this we can contextualize and interpret the cultural values embedded in everyday objects.