Bank met drie compartimenten 1784 - 1785

Pierre Claude Delagardette created this print of a three-part sofa, or confessional, sometime before his death in 1782. It offers us a glimpse into the world of 18th-century French furniture design. The print, likely intended for cabinet makers, reflects a culture obsessed with luxury and social etiquette. During this time, furniture became increasingly elaborate, reflecting the opulence of the aristocracy. Ornamentation and the use of costly materials were not merely aesthetic choices but statements of social standing. The print’s precise lines and measured scale also speak to the growing professionalization of design. Institutions such as the Académie Royale d'Architecture shaped artistic production, standardizing taste and dictating what was considered fashionable. Historians use a range of resources, including trade catalogs, inventories, and architectural treatises, to understand the social and institutional context of works like this. By studying these sources, we can better understand the values and aspirations of the society that produced them.