Two overdoor panels with vases 1758 - 1771

Jacques Germain Soufflot created these two overdoor panels, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as decorative elements emblematic of the 18th century French aesthetic. These panels, with their vases overflowing with flowers, evoke the lavish, nature-revering sensibilities of the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie during the Enlightenment. Yet, as we consider these lush representations of floral abundance, it’s critical to reflect on the historical and social context of their creation. These were conceived at a time marked by rigid social hierarchies, where such displays of opulence were enjoyed only by the privileged few. The tapestries, with their intricate detail and vibrant colors, invite us to consider the labor and resources required to produce them, and the lives of those excluded from the beauty and comfort they represent. These panels, then, are not only aesthetic objects but also historical documents, reflecting a society defined by both its artistic achievements and its deep inequalities.