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Louis XVI style is defined by its simple yet elegant design, characterized by clean lines and refined construction. This style strikes a balance between delicacy and strength, with subtle elegance that isn’t overly feminine, embodying the historical and philosophical shifts of the Enlightenment. Today, Louis XVI is the most popular of the Louis styles, prized for its compatibility with contemporary interiors. Its emphasis on straight lines, right angles, and classically inspired motifs lends an air of seriousness and logical design.
The classical revival that influenced the Louis XVI style was sparked by the 1748 excavation of Pompeii. This archaeological discovery, combined with a growing backlash against the excesses of the Rococo era and a new moral emphasis on simplicity, created the perfect environment for the rise of Neoclassicism.
Gone were the days of superfluous ornamentation and Baroque extravagance. The new style among the elite favored a return to simplicity, with many abandoning the ornate elegance of ceremonial rooms and grand townhouses in favor of smaller, rustic retreats. In an attempt to align themselves with the sentiments of the common French people, the wealthy and bourgeois began to favor furniture that was less frivolous.
Designers of the Louis XVI period drew inspiration from the more architectural furniture of the Louis XIV era, incorporating simple and less ornate elements. Common motifs included egg-and-dart carvings, oak and laurel leaf decorations, wreaths, cornucopias, and fluted columns. Molding, gold leaf accents, painted wood, and rosette carvings atop legs were also prevalent.
The influence of Marie Antoinette, queen to Louis XVI, played a significant role in the development of the Neoclassical style in furniture design. Her taste was instrumental in the creation of many of the small, elegant pieces found in her apartments at Versailles. Neoclassicism furnished the Queen’s private spaces, even as it signaled the impending end of the monarchy.
Louis XVI chairs are more angular than those of the Louis XV style, with backs that are often rectangular, oval, or shield-shaped. This change made them less comfortable but more aligned with the new aesthetic. The fundamental difference between the two styles lies in the lines: Louis XV chairs feature flowing curves with no straight lines, while Louis XVI chairs are distinguished by their straight legs. These legs, often turned in various styles resembling spindles, quivers, columns, and balusters, replaced the "S"-shaped cabriole legs of the Rococo era.
Materials such as walnut, ash, and burled walnut were commonly used for seating and movable pieces, while oak was preferred for solid wood furniture and carved ornamentation. Mahogany gained popularity, and ebony made a comeback after being out of favor during the Louis XV period. Various fruitwoods were also used, and the marbles chosen for tabletops and decorative elements were typically white, gray, or occasionally red with veining.
Despite the emphasis on simplicity, expensive materials and skilled craftsmanship remained the standard, accessible only to the wealthy. Some attempts were made to identify with the plight of the common people by highlighting the natural grain of the wood in furniture designs. In a symbolic gesture, Louis XVI even wore a peasant hat in a portrait to convey a sense of humility. However, these efforts were ultimately in vain, as both Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed by guillotine at the Place de la Concorde in 1793.
The downfall of the Louis XVI style coincided with the fall of Louis XVI himself. The common people saw the elites' adoption of less opulent furniture as insufficient sacrifice, fueling the French Revolution of 1789. This period marked the decline of French furniture’s dominance, with the early 19th century representing the last great era of French furniture making.