Armchair 1760 - 1770

Curator: We're looking at an armchair from 1760 to 1770, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s attributed to Jean-Jacques Pothier. Editor: Its initial appearance is quite striking! The intricate patterns seem to dance, almost like looking at a densely woven tapestry made of shadow and light. Curator: The piece is wood, displaying aspects of both Baroque and decorative art styles, representing significant craftsmanship in its joinery, carving, and upholstery. I think it shows an interesting connection to furniture production within that era. Editor: Indeed, the chair is imbued with cultural meaning! Consider the ornate detail; it speaks to wealth, status, and a specific worldview centered on elegance and elaborate ritual. Even the curves evoke a sense of dynamism. Do you see any hidden or overt symbolism? Curator: To my mind, its form emerges out of the logic of material production during this period. Reflect for instance on what timbers are locally sourced and the labor of those creating textiles... Such access points into what might initially be viewed as luxury, or an exclusive item! Editor: But also consider who would sit in this chair! Perhaps a woman of great influence or a man deliberating affairs of state. Chairs like these would not be made just for function but to signal and reinforce the status and persona of whomever occupies them. The imagery on the upholstery—its symbolic weight must also be part of this discussion. Curator: That brings me back to my initial point: a piece such as this, at the Met, inevitably makes a fascinating subject matter for analysis considering broader considerations relating to economic value within art making processes across that period. Editor: Right. In that sense, an item seemingly made just for sitting transcends being a chair... instead operating much like a symbolic seat of power! Thanks to its visual language. Curator: Ultimately, considering this “Armchair”, we confront a convergence between production as well as broader aspects influencing wealth generation across society… Editor: Yes, seeing this work has reminded me how even the most seemingly utilitarian object can embody potent visual symbolism and powerful echoes of cultural ideals.