Armchair c. 1756
jeanbaptistelebasmaitrein1756
portrait
furniture
decorative
france
wood
decorative-art
rococo
This pair of French Rococo armchairs, crafted by Jean-Baptiste Lebas circa 1756, showcase the elegant refinement of the era. The chairs feature delicate, curvilinear forms with intricate carvings and a rich, gilded finish. One chair is upholstered in a vibrant green velvet, while the other features a gold silk fabric adorned with delicate floral embroidery. The contrast in materials and colors adds visual interest to the set, making them ideal for a stately drawing room or salon. The chairs, now housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, offer a glimpse into the luxurious taste of the French aristocracy in the mid-18th century.
Comments
This armchair and seven similar examples were given to the Institute by Carolyn and Franklin Groves and The Groves Foundation as furnishings for the Grand Salon from the Hôtel Gaillard de La Bouëxière. The 1738 and 1759 inventories for the grand salon reveal that the room was predominantly furnished with nine armchairs upholstered in Gobelins tapestry with scenes of fabled animals, similar to the upholstery on view here. The armchairs will be installed in the Grand Salon following restoration of their upholstery. The sinuous C- and S-curve shapes of the chair's arms and legs, juxtaposed by shells, scrolls, and cabochon motifs, reflects a restrained version of the rococo style that was popular in France during the mid-18th century.
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