Two upholstery panels 1787 - 1791

These two upholstery panels were created by Jean Jacques Lagrenée, though the exact date of their making is unknown. Lagrenée lived through a revolutionary period and witnessed seismic shifts in the social and political order of his time. At first glance, the panels seem to depict classical scenes of wealth and grandeur. However, a closer look reveals details that suggest a more complex narrative, one perhaps tinged with the unease of a society on the brink of change. The panels reflect the cultural milieu of pre-Revolutionary France, where the opulence of the aristocracy existed alongside growing social unrest. The artist attempts to capture a sense of the period’s shifting cultural identities, oscillating between the traditional representations of power and the nascent stirrings of change. The tapestry invites us to reflect on how societies grapple with transformation, and how even the most decorative objects can hold a mirror to their times.