Stoel, fauteuil en canapé after 1878

This print, "Stoel, fauteuil en canapé," depicts furniture designs, showcasing a chair, armchair, and sofa, likely made in France. The phrase "Louis XIV" suggests a reference to the aesthetic preferences of the French court during his reign. Furniture design in this period was deeply entwined with social status and power. These designs, with their ornate details, reflect the opulence associated with the French aristocracy. Examining this image, it’s important to consider the institutions of art and design at the time. Was this image connected to a particular workshop or manufacturer seeking to promote its products? How did the design reflect the aesthetic preferences of its intended wealthy consumer? To understand this image fully, we might consult trade catalogues, design manuals, and inventories of aristocratic households. Art history reveals how these objects, and their depictions, uphold or challenge the norms of their time.