Twee bureaus 1885 - 1895

This is an image of two desks, or bureaux, created by Léon Laroche, and printed by E. Maincent in Paris in 1848. The print is from the series "Le Garde-Meuble", which shows fine examples of French decorative arts. We see two takes on the Louis XVI style, known for its neoclassicism and association with the ill-fated French monarchy. But in 1848, France was in revolution once again. Just as today, artists and manufacturers looked to the past, reinterpreting traditional styles. The Garde-Meuble was itself an institution charged with maintaining and displaying the royal collections. This print gives us an important insight into the relationship between the institution of the state and the design of furniture for the home. Understanding the social conditions that shape artistic production often requires archival research into institutions and political movements. The historian can help uncover and analyze the social, economic, and political context in which art is made and consumed.