Settee (one of a pair) (part of a set) 1758 - 1769

Editor: So, here we have a Settee, part of a set, made sometime between 1758 and 1769, created by Johann Michael Bauer. It's currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It has an elegant Rococo style. It's hard to believe this was intended for use; it almost looks like sculpture. What's your read on this work? Curator: The Settee epitomizes the Rococo style, and indeed it almost exists for ornamentation alone. It reflects the social values of the aristocracy. Comfort, in its modern understanding, was secondary to projecting an image of refinement and effortless wealth. Furniture like this signaled belonging to a select, powerful class. Editor: So, it’s not really about sitting; it's about status? Curator: Exactly. The intricate carving, the gilding, the luxurious textiles—all served to underscore the owner's status. It’s important to consider the environment these objects were placed in. How do you think the museum context changes its meaning? Editor: Hmm. That’s a great question! The Met displays this as art, removing it from its original social function. It lets us see it with fresh eyes, I think. Are these kinds of art always connected to power and social messages? Curator: The art in a museum is inevitably shaped by its historical role and social context. The piece serves not only as an example of artistry, but of societal power and hierarchy in the mid-18th century. Considering this power helps us engage with its artistry. Editor: Wow, that's a different way to look at it. Now when I see the floral carving I think of social performance. Curator: Precisely, the object itself holds those cultural ideas which come down through time.