Commode 1765 - 1775

Curator: So intricate. It’s almost dizzying. I want to both touch it and step away from it, you know? Editor: Indeed. What we're looking at here is a commode, dating roughly from 1765 to 1775. The craftsmanship is attributed to Louis Moreau, and you can find it residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The materials range from wood, marble, and metal, all contributing to its Rococo flair. Curator: Rococo indeed! It feels like an over-the-top dance party. Like, the room it would belong in just drips with excessive…everything. Editor: I’d say that’s an apt description. Focusing on the structure, you’ll notice the careful symmetry, even within the exuberance of the carving. The inlaid wood creates patterns that play with depth, contrasting sharply against the cooler marble top. This object epitomizes the Baroque ideals of ornate beauty. Curator: See, that's interesting! It's true, though – the longer I look, the more intentional it seems. The marble and metal serve to anchor the frenzy of the wood. Still, it's wild to imagine Moreau lost in that intense labor of carving. Do you think he enjoyed the sheer... busyness of it all? Editor: Perhaps. One can see how his perspective might become enmeshed with the artwork during its creation, much like ours today. Curator: It makes you wonder what kind of secrets are tucked away inside those drawers! Little trinkets, love letters… Editor: Perhaps those secrets are the very essence of Baroque art—concealed meaning behind lavish display. Thank you, that’s given me something to consider in turn. Curator: Always a pleasure to stir the pot—or the commode in this case. Until next time!