18th Century Birth of Design - Furniture Masterpieces 1650-1790, Versailles

Exhibition catalogue 18th source of design, Furniture Masterpieces 1650-1790, Palace of Versailles (21 october 2014 - 22 feb. 2015).

Look and understand; discern the elegance of line, take in the design; appreciate the reasons behind the ornamentation…

Architects, artists and dealers as well as ordinary craftsmen set about organising furniture and elaborating it as never before.

The eighteenth century was to turn three everyday acts – sitting, sitting at table, storing things – into an art.

Furniture changed its skin and shape. For the first time, it explored new materials, sought out new forms. It broke free of architecture, but went on playing with some of its styles.

It became movable and occasional, and the notion of comfort came into being. Furniture found its identity in everyday actions to which it was closely linked. The connection between the individual and furniture became obvious.

From its disposition to its ingenuity, and through the matchless quality of its incomparable workmanship, furniture in the eighteenth century came to be an integral part of daily life and fashion, quick to respond to changing moods and styles.

Having thus secured both a new status and recognition, it became for ever a distinct element in the intellectual process of creation.