Pair of Side Chairs c. 1849

Editor: Here we have a "Pair of Side Chairs" created around 1849 by Alexander Jackson Davis. They reside here at the Art Institute of Chicago. Crafted from wood and with a plush, patterned green upholstery, these chairs strike me as both elegant and somehow a bit severe. What draws your attention in these pieces? Curator: The real story here, for me, lies in the means of production. These chairs exemplify the shifting boundaries between craft and industry in the mid-19th century. Note the elaborate carvings, clearly machine-made allowing for such intricate designs to be replicated affordably. Look closely at the wood; what can you infer about its sourcing and preparation? Editor: Well, the consistency suggests a degree of standardization. Perhaps the wood was pre-cut or treated in some industrial process? It lacks the unique character you might see in a piece made entirely by hand. Curator: Precisely. And think about the social context. Who would have purchased these chairs? The emerging middle class, eager to emulate the aristocracy but relying on industrial production to achieve that aesthetic. The material speaks volumes about social aspirations and the democratization of design. It also poses the question: How does mass production change the very definition of "art"? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn’t considered how industrial processes would shape even something seemingly traditional like a chair. So, seeing these, are we really looking at the story of changing consumption? Curator: Indeed. The materials used, how they were obtained and manipulated, and who ultimately consumed the final product are central to its meaning. These chairs, at first glance simply decorative, are in fact products that embody this societal shift. Editor: I never would have thought about these chairs as historical markers of industrial production before. Thanks for helping me see all of that!