Commode 1730 - 1745

Editor: So, here we have a wooden commode, or chest of drawers, made around 1730-1745 by Jean François Cuvilliés the Elder. It just strikes me as pure ornamentation. The eye doesn’t know where to land first! What are your initial thoughts? Curator: It's funny you say that! I agree it's lavish, almost aggressively decorative. I always imagine these Rococo pieces whispering tales of powdered wigs and hushed gossip, of courtly rituals unfolding amidst such flamboyant furniture. What do you notice about the use of materials here? Editor: The wood seems almost swallowed by the gilding and the marble top! The ornate carvings definitely steal the show. But what would this have meant to people at the time? Was it all about showing off wealth? Curator: In a way, yes. This wasn't just storage; it was a statement. Consider the precise craftsmanship, the imported marble, the labor involved in the gilded carvings. Think of it as conspicuous consumption taken to an art form. This style signaled impeccable taste and access to seemingly endless wealth. Does the commode evoke other artwork that you’ve studied? Editor: Thinking about Baroque sculpture, the kind of drama and movement... I definitely see some of that here. Almost like frozen theatrics! It’s like the furniture itself is performing for you. Curator: Precisely! That’s a brilliant observation. Cuvilliés has essentially turned a functional object into a stage. A stage for the wealthy and privileged, if I might add. What’s your final impression? Editor: I see how much artistry is involved in something meant to be “functional." It really transcends just being a place to store things. It’s like sculpture, design, and social commentary rolled into one flashy package! Curator: Indeed. Next time you reach for that minimalist flat-pack, remember Cuvilliés. You may have a nice piece, but you have missed all the fun that art history can offer.