Writing table (bureau plat) 1759

Editor: Here we have Gilles Joubert’s “Writing table (bureau plat)” from 1759, currently residing at the Met. Made with… sculpture and wood... this Rococo piece looks so rich, with its curving legs, it seems more like a jewel than a desk! What captures your eye about this piece? Curator: Ah, yes, Joubert's masterpiece! It's an ode to luxury, isn’t it? I feel transported back to the court of Louis XV, envisioning powdered wigs and whispered secrets amidst candlelight. The extravagant use of gold leaf practically screams, "Let them eat cake!" Doesn’t it remind you of ornate pastries, something so beautiful you almost don’t want to touch it? Almost… What do you think its original owner might have used it for? Editor: Definitely correspondence – maybe even royal decrees? Although I would be afraid to spill anything on it! Was Rococo furniture meant to be functional, or purely ornamental? Curator: A wonderful question. Functionality certainly existed, but it was intertwined with the demonstration of wealth and status. This wasn't merely a table; it was a statement. Every curve, every flourish spoke of the owner's refined taste and deep pockets. Imagine the hours artisans poured into the gilded details. Does knowing that change your perspective at all? Editor: It does. The craftsmanship is incredible. The piece becomes less frivolous and more of a testament to human skill. Thank you for sharing your perspective! Curator: And thank you! Looking at art, especially something as opulent as this desk, should be a two-way mirror – reflecting both the artist’s intent and our own interpretations. And who knows, maybe this inspires us both to write a letter on something a bit more… extravagant.