Armchair 1660 - 1715

Editor: Here we have an armchair, thought to be crafted between 1660 and 1715, currently residing here at the Art Institute of Chicago. Its maker remains anonymous, which always gives it a sort of mysterious feel. The materials are wood, with some beautiful carving, and, of course, that woven seat. Something about the darkness of the wood and the shape makes it look kind of austere to me. What stands out to you about it? Curator: Austere... yes! But to me, it whispers stories of resilience. It looks like something a Pilgrim might have used, don't you think? Consider its time: imagine the artisans, their hands shaping wood under candlelight. Anonymous, maybe, but undeniably skilled. This wasn't just furniture; it was a declaration of home in a new world. Look at that carved detail – seemingly simple, yet it speaks of Baroque influences filtered through a practical, American lens. Doesn’t that straw seat ground the loftiness with a dose of honest labor? Editor: That's such a nice contrast, baroque and labor, sort of high meets low. So, you’re seeing more than just furniture then? Curator: Absolutely! See, every object holds within it the DNA of its era. How it’s been used. Picture someone, weary after a long day, settling into this very chair. What worries did it absorb? How many stories did it silently witness? And what of its travels; the homes, lives, conversations it once belonged to? Editor: That makes me appreciate the visible wear and tear even more; you see the signs of life it lived. Curator: Exactly! Each scratch, each imperfection tells its own tale, doesn’t it? I never would have imagined such a vivid interpretation! Editor: That was enlightening. Thank you! Curator: Likewise! A different lens truly reshapes what we see.