Sofa 1849 - 1854

This sumptuous sofa by Charles A. Baudouine is housed at the Art Institute of Chicago. Its floral motifs, particularly the rose, speak to centuries of symbolic weight. The rose, often associated with love and beauty, has roots stretching back to ancient Greece, where it was linked to Aphrodite. The image of a rose has not remained static; its symbolism has evolved. The medieval era saw the rise of the "Mystic Rose," a symbol of the Virgin Mary, imbued with divine love and purity. The rose in Baudouine's sofa, though secular, retains echoes of these earlier associations, subtly evoking ideals of beauty and comfort. It is important to note the lion head carvings in the wooden structure of the sofa. Lions were often associated with royalty and power, and its presence, especially within the domestic sphere, creates a unique interplay between private comfort and public display. Symbols like the lion head tap into a deep, almost subconscious recognition, triggering a sense of awe and reverence. These symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.