History of Furniture styles Ch 15

Furniture styles are influenced by: Changes in Taste Available materials and manufacturing Lifestyle changes

FRENCH FURNITURE STYLES

Louis XIII King of France 1610-1643 became king at age 9 Louis XIII King of France 1610-1643 became king at age 9. more conservative (and less wealthy) time in history.

Louis XIII style “Renaissance” Heavy, ornamental “turning” technique used to form legs. the concept of a comfortable place to sit and relax was just emerging

Louis XIV (1643-1715) “SUN KING” . At the time of his birth, his parents had been married for 23 years. His mother had experienced four stillbirths between 1619 and 1631. Leading contemporaries thus regarded him as a divine gift, and his birth a miracle of God.

Louis XIV (1643-1715) “SUN KING” World trade beginning- more availability of materials beginnings of French empire a new level of wealth to the crown, used furnishings and grandness of the royal palace at Versailles as an expression of wealth and power.

His rule marked beginnings of French empire His rule marked beginnings of French empire *Built palace of Versailles a new level of wealth to the crown, furnishings the royal palace **as an expression of his wealth and power.

World trade beginning- more availability of materials World trade beginning- more availability of materials *Solid-silver furniture was made, and other materials included ivory, tortoise-shell, brass, horn, * imported Japanese lacquer. *These materials were used to advertise the power of the king.

Louis XV (1723-1774) “ROCOCO” "a perpetual adolescent called to do a man's job.“ ‘Romantic playboy’ age of 5 succeeded to throne.

France was most powerful empire in Europe. * ornate style helped create social unrest among French people, laying the way for more conservative design style developed during Louis XVI.

Louis XVI (1774-1792) “Neo-classical” debt and financial crisis contributed to the unpopularity of the King

Queen Marie Antoinette  She later became known as Madame Déficit because France's financial crisis was blamed on her lavish spending.

Louis XVI Neo-classical style furniture returned to themes and dimensions of Greek and Roman times. Pompeii was discovered and excavated, and France's ruling class aspires to connect to a long-reigning and influential world power. Style became more straight lines, humble style. Since the average citizen's living condition tended toward the squalid, they became resentful of titled aristocrats that lived in palaces Taking the hint, the rich started to move into more modest digs, and as a result the furniture scale became smaller.

Napoleon Emperor of the French Likened himself for Greek Gods Napoleon Emperor of the French Likened himself for Greek Gods. Copied lots of styles from other eras.