Pair of chair backs 1760 - 1780

Editor: So this is "Pair of chair backs," made between 1760 and 1780, so the late 18th century. It's attributed to Maurice Jacques, currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They are woven textiles—or maybe even sculptures? What strikes me is how it is like holding a bouquet of old summer roses. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond their sheer prettiness, I see potent symbols of Rococo art—an aesthetic inextricably linked to power, pleasure, and fleeting beauty. Consider the roses, for instance. Throughout history, roses have symbolized love, secrecy, and transience. Woven into the fabric of a chair, they hint at intimate conversations, luxurious settings, and perhaps even the ephemeral nature of aristocratic life. Editor: The "transience" of life is well illustrated here. It's quite thought provoking how something designed for comfort carries a weight of such symbolism. Curator: Indeed. What about the choice of the textile itself? In contrast to hard stone or durable metal, textiles evoke comfort but are inherently delicate, easily worn, torn or stained. Does this remind you of other fabrics from that time? Editor: Definitely reminds me of tapestries! What are those small, blue, stylized blossoms that frame the roses? Curator: Those likely represent forget-me-nots. A poignant symbol of remembrance and enduring affection, that encircles a transient gift of roses! Together they weave a narrative of memory, love, and inevitable decay—a very Rococo sensibility, isn’t it? Editor: It certainly is. This exploration revealed unexpected depths beneath their delicate floral designs! Thank you. Curator: The pleasure was mine! It is good to examine how visual symbols inform memory across culture and time.