Panel of upholstery silk 1765 - 1775

Editor: We are looking at "Panel of upholstery silk," made between 1765 and 1775 by Philippe de Lasalle. It's currently at the Met. It strikes me as so incredibly ornate and luxurious. I am interested in learning more about it from you. How do you see it, given its history? Curator: Well, considering this textile through a historical lens, especially one focused on social and institutional history, immediately brings to mind the French court and its influence on fashion and the decorative arts. The Rococo style, so evident here, was very much a product of that aristocratic patronage. Does that influence your perspective as well? Editor: I didn't think of that at all. I suppose I can see how its intricate details may reflect royal fashion. How might the museum setting contribute to the art's reception? Curator: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, with its encyclopedic collection, elevates what was once a functional item to a work of art, inviting us to study it for its aesthetic and historical value, independent of its original use as upholstery. How might our perception differ if we saw this panel in its original context, say, adorning a chair in a grand salon? Editor: That's an excellent point. If displayed in the context of a Rococo interior, perhaps it would blend more seamlessly and its intended purpose becomes much more explicit? So how might Philippe de Lasalle's work have been influenced by social or political currents? Curator: Lasalle operated within a system deeply intertwined with power and privilege. He catered to the elite, his designs reflecting and reinforcing their status. Even the seemingly apolitical floral and feather motifs served to signify wealth and refinement. Seeing it through that perspective, do you see it any differently now? Editor: Definitely. I am seeing how it spoke volumes about class and wealth. It really drives home the idea that even decorative arts have a powerful cultural narrative. I'll definitely keep this in mind during future museum visits! Curator: Precisely. That's the real value in considering art from a historical standpoint. Always question its creation, its use and its institutional display to better reveal the dialogue between then and now!