Twee chaise longues 1885 - 1895

Léon Laroche made this print of two chaise longues. The print shows two different designs for the same style of chair. These designs, inspired by Louis the Sixteenth, tap into notions of luxury, elegance, and refinement. In eighteenth-century France, the decorative arts, like furniture design, were not simply about function; they signaled social status and cultural taste. Laroche's print offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the French elite. The designs reflect the opulence of the French court, but also speak to the political climate. Styles from the period of Louis XVI were revived, suggesting a desire to return to an idealized past, before the tumult of the revolution. These chairs and their designs tell us so much about the values and priorities of the time. By researching the history of furniture design, the economics of craft production, and the biographies of the designers and patrons, we can unlock a deeper understanding of this society. Art and design is always contingent on the social and institutional context that surrounds it.