Side Chair 1877 - 1885

The Herter Brothers created this Side Chair, now at the Art Institute of Chicago, with wood and upholstery. The chair’s stark linearity is immediately striking. The vertical emphasis, created by the slender legs and elongated back posts, contrasts with the horizontal seat and backrest elements. The dark, almost black, wood frame, with its carved detailing, encases a vibrant turquoise seat, creating a visual tension between austerity and opulence. The circular motifs decorating the upper backrest, combined with geometric fretwork, add an intriguing decorative layer, softening the chair's rigid form. This interplay of geometric and organic patterns embodies the aesthetic complexities of its era. Consider how this chair, functional yet ornate, embodies a dialogue between form and decoration. The contrast between the chair's structural severity and ornamental flourishes highlights the era’s tension between industrial production and artistic expression, inviting ongoing interpretation.