Armchair (part of a set)
ca. 1780–90
Medium
Walnut, gilded
Dimensions
Overall: 36 1/8 × 23 × 20 3/4 in. (91.8 × 58.4 × 52.7 cm)
Classification
Woodwork-Furniture
Culture
French, Paris
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Ann Payne Blumenthal, 1943
Accession Number
43.163.14
Art Historical Context
This elegant armchair, crafted by the renowned Parisian cabinetmaker Georges Jacob around 1780–90, exemplifies the refined neoclassical style that flourished during the reign of Louis XVI. Jacob, a favored supplier to the French court, was celebrated for his masterful blending of comfort and classical proportions, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman motifs. Made of walnut with delicate gilding, the piece reflects the era’s taste for luxurious yet restrained furniture, often produced as coordinated sets for aristocratic salons. The medium highlights both technical skill and symbol...