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## HISTORY OF ART AND INTERIOR DESIGN ### XIV. French Neoclassic - Under the reign of Louis XVI, there was a revived interest in classicism with the excavation of the ruins of Herculaneum in 1738. - George Jacob founded a dynasty of cabinetmakers during this time. - Henri Riesener, a Parisian cabin...

## HISTORY OF ART AND INTERIOR DESIGN ### XIV. French Neoclassic - Under the reign of Louis XVI, there was a revived interest in classicism with the excavation of the ruins of Herculaneum in 1738. - George Jacob founded a dynasty of cabinetmakers during this time. - Henri Riesener, a Parisian cabinetmaker and student of Oeben, designed many pieces for Marie Antoinette - Also known as *Style Etrusque* ### A. Interiors 1. Interior architecture and furnishings are the most important aspects of the Neoclassical style 2. Proportions were light and refined, retaining intimacy and charm, but with an emphasis on straight lines and geometric forms 3. Ovals, ellipses, and circles, which were usually segmental, were the only curves used. 4. Wide and narrow panels of painted wood or plaster covered with rich fabrics or wallpaper or filled with mirrors or paintings, were symmetrically arranged 5. Slim panels on the walls, called boiseries, (carved woodwork picked out in gilt) were popular. 6. Doors and windows had rectangular or elliptical panels over them and were symmetrically arranged, with flatter more austere moldings, such as the egg and dart. 7. The *trumeau* (overdoor or overpaneling filled with paintings or mirrors) were frequently seen 8. Color prints and paintings were popular. 9. Ceilings were usually flat and decorated with simple classical motifs, with a large glass chandelier in the center. 10. Rooms with high ceilings had an entablature crowning the paneling, rooms with low ceilings had a simple comice or a cove. ### B. Furniture elements 1. *Manchettes* (padded arm rests)- The arms ended in a volute or hoop back (the latter had up-rights and top rail in one continuous arch). 2. Legs were rectilinear, *game* (a pedestal leg which tapers towards the bottom), fluted, turned, and quiver-shaped, or spindle-shaped and fluted. 3. Numerous innovations appeared, such as dining tables, combination secretary and chest-of-drawers, cylinder desks, mechanical furniture, and furniture with metal tops. 4. Motifs were derived from Greek sources and from nature: classical orders, fruit, flowers, laurel wreaths, garlands, ribbons and bow-knots, mythological scenes, shepherds and shepherdesses, caryatids, trophies, hunting and music symbols, arabesques, running motifs such as guilloche, beads, leaf bands. 5. Oval, rectangular, square or medallion back. 6. Lyre or loop-shaped backs. 7. Finishes included ivory or white enamel. 8. *Verre églomisé* technique involving painting on the reverse side of glass then applying gold and silver as backing. ### C. Furniture types 1. *Fauteuil* with a square or medallion back that did not extend to the seat rail; Often slightly concave.