Necessities
of Court Life
To the aristocratic mind, purchasing luxury items was
more than just a matter of personal taste—it was the nobility’s
social responsibility. This consumption was justified by
the 18th-century French philosopher Montesquieu, "Were the
rich not to be lavish, the poor would starve." The French
economy was dictated by the extravagant court etiquette
as tradesmen and artisans were dependent upon the commissions
and purchases of the ruling elite to sustain them and their
families. |
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Madame de Pompadour: Entertaining at Court
(video)
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Nature Idealized
Idealized visions of nature and country life serve as
a popular theme of 18th-century decoration. These romantic
notions reflect the philosophies of the Enlightenment and
the elite about the purity and simplicity of country living
as contrasted with the moral corruption of fashionable city
life. |
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Madame de Pompadour: A Porcelain Garden (video)
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New Ways of Living
The etiquette of the ruling aristocracy required certain
standards of dress that, in turn required a rigorous dressing
ritual or toilette, that would sometimes be repeated
many times a day. 18th-century furniture makers introduced
new forms of furniture that facilitated the lifestyles and
fashions of the aristocracy and the work of servants charged
with their upkeep. |
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Exporting French Taste
Diplomatic gifts and foreign commissions proclaimed
France’s artistic accomplishment and enticed buyers abroad
to seek additional pieces of French manufacture, boosting
the French economy and solidifying France’s position as
arbiter of European taste. |
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Madame de Pompadour: The Economics of Porcelain
(video)
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After the Revolution
France was rocked by revolution in 1789 when, for the
first time, the king’s absolute right to rule had been questioned.
The decorative arts produced during this time adhere to
the austerity and democratic spirit of the Revolutionaries
at the end of the century. Later production, during the
short reinstatement of the Bourbon royal family and the
rule of Napoleon III in the early 19th century, exhibit
a resurgence of nostalgia for the more exuberant styles
of the monarchy. |
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Japanese-style Garden
Catherine
the Great
What can be learned by exploring the decorative
arts from another period in history? Discover the people who used these objects
and the culture that produced them by following the links and clicking
on the images below. 