Chair 1815 - 1820

This "Chair," made by an anonymous artist, is part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection. While the maker of this chair is unknown, its very anonymity speaks to the complexities of labor and artistry. Chairs are ubiquitous, everyday objects, often overlooked. Yet, each one embodies the skill and choices of its maker, reflecting not only functional needs but also cultural values and aesthetic preferences. The design of this chair, with its green seat and stylized back, suggests a certain level of sophistication and an aspiration to elegance. Consider the hands that crafted this piece, and the lives intertwined with its creation. Was it a single artisan, or a workshop of many? What were their economic circumstances, their social standing? By engaging with these questions, the chair transforms from a mere object into a focal point for exploring histories of labor, class, and cultural production. It reminds us that every object, no matter how mundane, carries within it a network of human stories waiting to be uncovered.