Gueridon met gezichten 1772 - 1779

This is Jean Pelletier's "Gueridon met gezichten," a design for a torch stand. Pelletier was born in France in 1736, and his career unfolded during the reign of Louis XVI, a period defined by its ornate Neoclassical style. Looking at this design, consider how objects like these were integral to shaping social spaces and hierarchies. Imagine a grand salon, lit by candlelight from such stands, illuminating the faces of the elite. Who was included in this vision of society, and who was excluded? The faces adorning the stand are likely representations of classical figures, reflecting the era's obsession with antiquity. Yet, this was also a time of social upheaval, with enlightenment ideals challenging the status quo. What does it mean to create beauty amidst inequality, and how do these objects reflect both the aspirations and the contradictions of their time?