Style Transition

See also: Transition

The style Transition is a French style of movable (initially: it then spread on other disciplines) which makes the transition (from where its name) between the innovation and the originality from the Style Louis XV, and the return to the traditional inspiration of the Style Louis XVI and all the neo-classic period which follow.

This style was born under the impulse from innovative architects who did not want to dissociate Louis XV which, in spite of its originality, started as from the years 1750 to stagnate in its forms, not evolving any more but to one decorative higher bid. Vis-a-vis to excesses of certain ornemanists certain artists return to the rigor and Fortement symmetry inspired by the Roman world gréco.

Dates

One generally locates it 1758 at 1775.

The genesis of this style can be gone back very precisely in 1758 when the collector avant-gardist Angel-Laurent from Live de Jully order with the architect Louis-Joseph Lorain a series to pieces of furniture (visible nowadays with the castle of Chantilly) which slices with the taste of the time. The style transition is, as its name indicates it, an esthetic style of research which will mark the evolution of the Louis XV with the Louis XVI. One already typically sees as of 1760 some pieces of furniture Louis XVI and a contrario one still finds until the Révolution pieces of furniture from which the general pace is transition. By convention one limits this style of 1760 with 1774.

Political situation and cultural

On the cultural level one redécouvre Antiquity by putting at the day the vestiges Herculanum (1738) and of Pompéi in 1748. The excavations which will be carried out there will clearly influence architecture and the interior decoration.

Esthetics

Main features

Transition furniture is called at the time " in the taste grec" , which shows well that it tends to approach the image which its contemporaries of graeco-latin Antiquity have. Influenced by the neoclassicism, he aspires to the simplicity of a furniture which is inspired in great measurement by Old.

The discoveries of Herculanum (1738) and Pompéi (1748), push the elites to be impassioned for ancient civilizations and contribute to create a new style more purified. By giving up excesses of the rubble Style Louis XV and by adapting the guns of the former Romans and the sensitivity of the Lights.

In a few years only, the straight line, the absolute respect of the proportions and balance, are essential like the references of a new elegance which makes the good share with the influences from Italy but also with the dépaysant exoticism of China and the Othoman world.

The pieces of furniture are done more structured, the forms stiffen, one recovers to employ ebony and bronzes of ancient inspiration as on the pieces of furniture of Boulle. The Galbe is given up, though the sides were still sometimes curved. The form characteristic of the style is the convenient known as " sauteuse" , i.e. the feet go from the top to the last drawer, then camber like feet Louis XV under this one. That gives the impression which the piece of furniture is constantly about to leap.

Ornamentation

Insert a text to boldface into the place of this one --> The two great characteristics of the ornamentation are:
  1. the bronzes of ancient inspiration representing of the human figures, of, stations, rinceaux, grooves, trophy, mask laurel wreathes of animals… open out in top of the feet and go down to decorate the cross-pieces, of the claws reinforcing the bottom of the feet.
  2. the continuous Marquetry to impose itself and improves even compared to the preceding style. One finds the same bouquets of flower more and more naturalists, but who are competed with by geometrical frisages.

Furniture

Current pieces of furniture

  • the convenient remainder a very widespread piece of furniture

  • the cupboard returns to the mode
  • the secretary to flap

New pieces of furniture

  • the offices back of ass, with cylinder and slats

  • the secretaries with flap

Materials

The use of the oak spreads for the manufacture of the carcasses.
The lacquers of China are used in two ways: either they are recovered on imported folding screens and pieces of furniture then integrated into pieces of furniture, or the carcasses are sent in China, are enamelled on the spot then reforwarded in France.
Nombeuses matters are tested or integrated into furniture out of wooden. Let us quote for example bronze or sheet steel and the S2evres china.

Techniques and tools

Cabinetmakers representative of the style

  • Small Nicolas (1732-1791), main Parisian cabinetmaker.
  • Léonard Boudin main cabinetmaker in 1761 to whom one allots the rigid roll-top desk.

In arts…

For each following art: brief presentation, examples and bonds (even if they are still to write).

Structure

Painting

Sculpture

…

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