Louis Xiv Furniture Characteristics

The era of king louis xiv or louis quatorze marked the definite end of the renaissance period in france and the beginning of a series of distinct period furniture styles the first being the enormously influential baroque.
Louis xiv furniture characteristics. The mastermind behind the gilded glory of versailles louis xiv whose long reign lasted from 1643 to 1715 felt that his surroundings should mirror the divine power of the monarchy itself. Louis the xiv s reign marked the end of the renaissance and the rise of this very influential style often considered the most magnificent of the french period styles writes the v a. However toward the end of the louis xiv period the furniture was slightly reduced in size and more appealing. In this era great furniture designers and cabinet makers thrived.
Artists and craftsmen followed suit resulting in furnishings that were highly ornate often gilded and decidedly. Louis xiv furniture was massive and lavishly covered with sculpture and ornament of gilded bronze in the earlier part of the personal rule of king louis xiv of france 1660 1690. In 1699 a decorative scheme of wall painting was proposed for the apartment of the duchesse de bourgogne louis xiv s granddaughter in law. The primary characteristics of the louis xiv style of french furniture include.
The louis xiv style was predominant between 1643 and 1715. Common pieces included bookcases cane chairs chaise longues and drop front secretaries. However some of the characteristics of louis xvi furniture were brought forward from the previous louis styles. The royal treatment there s a reason louis xiv was known as the sun king.
Every aspect of furniture production was affected. Seating became more intimate and comfortable and plentiful decoration in the form of veneers gilt bronze and wood marquetry was popular. After about 1690 thanks in large part to the furniture designer andré charles boulle a more original and delicate style appeared sometimes known as boulle work it was based on the use of marquetry the inlay of. The french were the main adopters of the baroque style.
If the louis xiv furniture style was designed with the glorification of the sun king in mind and all in massive masculine square form the louis xv furniture style is the complete opposite. The french furniture style we call louis xv flourished during the period of 1730 1775. During the early part of the louis xiv period the furniture is best described as heavy and cumbersome. During this period furniture began to exhibit characteristics of the rococo style.
The louis xvi furniture era in some ways was a rather dramatic change bringing on a more delicate and dainty appearance to the style of furniture.