Vertical Panels with Cherry Spray 1758 - 1771

These vertical panels with cherry spray were likely made by Jacques Germain Soufflot sometime in the 18th century, using carved wood and probably gilded. Looking closely, you can see the incredible detail of the cherry spray design. The texture and weight of the wood contribute to a sense of robust luxury. The carving process, demanding skill and time, imbued these panels with significant cultural value, reflecting the aesthetics of the French elite. The artist engaged with traditions of woodworking and decorative arts that reached back centuries, yet here, we see it deployed in a neoclassical, architectural context. The labor-intensive process of carving and gilding ties these panels to wider social issues of labor and class in pre-revolutionary France. Such work provided livelihoods, but also reinforced social hierarchies. Considering materials, making, and context is key to understanding these panels. They challenge distinctions between fine art and craft, showing how skilled handwork contributes to artistic expression and social meaning.