Armchair (bergère) (part of a set) 1783 - 1793

This bergère armchair was crafted by Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené in late eighteenth-century France. Note the recurring motifs of nature: small sprigs of flowers across the fabric and intricately carved foliage along the frame. These aren't mere decorations; they speak to a broader human fascination with the natural world. Consider, for example, the acanthus leaves. These stylized forms have roots stretching back to ancient Greece, adorning the capitals of Corinthian columns. Their presence here reflects a conscious revival of classical ideals. The image of the feminine form, represented by the sculpted caryatids that support the armrests, evokes a sense of nurturing and stability. These elements, echoing through art history, suggest a continuous, if subconscious, dialogue with the past. Such symbols are not static, and through centuries, their meanings shift, revealing our ever-evolving relationship with nature and our own history. This chair embodies a longing for an idealized past and a delicate balance between nature and culture.