Side Chair 1755 - 1775

Editor: This elegant Side Chair, dating from around 1755 to 1775, is an anonymous piece here at the Art Institute of Chicago. Crafted from wood with a decorative Rococo style, it's far from your average chair, isn't it? It feels almost... theatrical. The cabriole legs are such a statement! What catches your eye? Curator: Oh, theatrical is spot on! For me, it’s like stepping into a whispered conversation between history and craftsmanship. I find myself wondering who might have sat in that very chair, maybe discussing scandalous secrets or matters of state? It’s also worth considering the sheer skill involved in the carving. Notice the ball-and-claw feet and how the eye is drawn upwards by the serpentine lines and pierced back splat. It’s pure visual poetry, isn't it? A deliberate expression of wealth and sophistication. Don't you think those lines dance? Editor: They definitely do have a fluid, almost gravity-defying feel. I hadn't considered the societal aspect. Was the Rococo style mostly for the upper class? Curator: Almost exclusively. Rococo was the visual language of aristocracy, meant to inspire awe, suggest effortless grace, and above all, to differentiate. This chair wasn’t merely a functional object, it was a pronouncement, a performance. And the craftsmanship—the hours poured into its creation—underscores that value, don't you agree? Editor: Absolutely. Looking at it now, it seems like so much more than just a chair. Curator: It's a tangible piece of history, isn't it? Furniture often carries more history than portraits – they were more like witnesses. Editor: That’s a wonderful way to look at it. I'll never see a chair the same way again!