Louis XVI dit le "juste" (Versailles, 23 août 1754 - Exécuté à Parisle 21 janvier 1793)
Marie Antoinette Louis XVI
The Louis XVI furnishings and decorative style started in 1774, at the beginning of Louis XVI reign up until 1790. The Directoire style will succeed.
It followed a European movement return to classicism in the second half of the eighteenth century.
Louis XVI, grand-son of Louis XV, became king in 1774 at the age of 20.
Queen Marie Antoinette also very much appreciated the decorative arts.
The middle of the eighteenth century and the Louis XVI style furnishing has been heavily influenced by the discovery of the remains of Herculaneum (1738) and Pompeii in 1748.
Thus was born the neoclassical, neo-Palladian style, incorporating Greek and Roman elements (columns, pediments, harmonious proportions, swing).
The Louis XVI furniture is by opposition to Louis XV style rigourous and of geometric shapes: rectangle, square, round and oval are in vogue.
The elements of ornamentation are also minimalist, symmetrical (as opposed to Louis XV) and inspiration is found in the vegetable and antique themes: flute, bay leaves, strips of ovals....
Among the most classic one is the ribbon knot and the drapery swag.
The seats are straight lines and geometric.
The chest of drawers have covered feet. They contain two to five drawers where the divisions between the drawers are often hidden. The handles are simplified and the appearance of a ring.
The "half-moon" commode is a creation of the time.
We can see furniture designed for the use of women, so called "travailleuse" or "bonheur du jour"
Louis XVI style introduced mahogany.
New furniture are emerging to adapt to the changing lifestyle:
* The "bonheur du jour" is a piece of furniture that appears during the transition. It is a mix between the secretary and the writing desk.
* The "armchair médaillon" is also a creation of the Louis XVI style. It has an oval back. Created by Louis Delanois in 1769.
* The dining table is also one of the creations of Louis XVI
