Pair of candlesticks 1735 - 1750

Curator: Well, aren't these just dripping in flamboyant grace? These are a "Pair of Candlesticks," crafted between 1735 and 1750. Their creation is attributed to Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier, a key figure in the Rococo movement. And naturally, they reside here at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: Gold, gold, and more gold. I swear, if I stare too long, I'll start hearing harpsichords and powdered wigs start appearing. There's almost an unsettling level of gaudiness; the way the light clings, it's practically screaming, isn't it? Curator: Ah, but observe how that opulence manifests! It's not merely about gilded bronze, but a masterclass in form. See how Meissonnier orchestrates the curvilinear lines. Each twist and turn is meticulously calculated to catch and reflect light. Editor: Calculated or compulsively embellished? All I see is the rejection of simple lines; imagine polishing these every week! Though, I will admit that, they move the eye around brilliantly, from the weighty base, flowing up... to the candlestick’s dish itself. Curator: Precisely! That base is not simply a foundation, but an integral part of the sculpture, echoing the fluid, asymmetrical shapes characteristic of Rococo design. There's a performative aspect; Meissonnier knew the drama bronze could offer to an interior space. Editor: Drama is right; though maybe not in the sense intended. To me, there's a visual push-and-pull. This constant movement, with that overpowering gilt color, leaves a chaotic aura. Are these art, or simply statements of immense wealth, posing as art? Curator: The question isn’t ‘or,’ but ‘and’. These pieces aren’t separate from the aristocratic social rituals they are created for. Form reflects and reinforces function: in this case to inspire awe. We might also want to appreciate Meissonnier's contribution in liberating art from symmetry’s alleged constraints, with the assistance of bronze, which provides both mass and sculptural capabilities. Editor: I’ll meet you halfway. Art of its time, without a doubt. Revolutionary curves meeting raw material to shape a whole philosophy of living large, I suppose. But perhaps a little overwhelming for a modern living room, eh? Curator: Well, that’s where individual interpretation shapes everything! For now, however, it gives you something to consider! Editor: Quite!