Part of a chair cover 1792 - 1802

This chair cover, designed by Jean Démosthène Dugourc, presents a captivating array of symbols and motifs that transcend time. A central cherubic figure, framed in an octagonal medallion, immediately captures our attention. In classical antiquity, Eros was a symbol of love, desire, and affection. Notice how the cupid figure and floral garlands echo images of triumphant cherubs in ancient Roman art. This motif surfaces again and again. Think of Renaissance paintings where putti frolic amidst classical ruins, embodying a longing for a lost Golden Age. The cherub's playful stance and the surrounding floral abundance tap into a collective memory of innocence, beauty, and the cyclical renewal of life. This symbol's persistent recurrence throughout art history points to its primal psychological resonance. It is a reminder of our deepest desires and most cherished memories.