Armchair 1670 - 1700

This Armchair, crafted by an anonymous hand, now resides in The Art Institute of Chicago. Notice the finials atop the chair posts, decorative elements that transcend mere function. These finials, reminiscent of ancient architectural details, echo motifs found in classical columns. They suggest an aspiration toward order and stability. Consider the psychological implications: is it a subconscious yearning for permanence, a desire to impose structure on the fluid chaos of life? Such symbols evolve. What began as a structural necessity in temples and palaces becomes, in this context, a subtle, almost domestic echo of power. This visual language resurfaces, transformed but undeniably linked to its origins, engaging viewers in a subconscious dialogue across time.