An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Cabinetc. 1690
Appointed cabinetmaker to King Louis XIV in 1672, André-Charles Boulle became a master of furniture making in France during the late 1600s until his death in 1732. Known primarily for his use of marquetry, in which metal patterns are inlaid into tortoiseshell then applied within the veneered surface of the furniture, Boulle established a level of quality and craftsmanship few others could achieve. As a result, his work found favor at the royal court and among other aristocrats and diplomats eager to impress the king. The inclusion of a medallion depicting Louis XIV within the bronze decoration of this chest would have identified the owner with the royal court. Often exhibiting stout architectural proportions with elegant groups of inlaid motifs such as the parrot on the central panel of this chest, Boulle’s designs are an example of the intellectual fashion for contrasting ideas, materials, and motifs.
Originally designed to sit atop an elaborate tall stand, this chest was likely altered in the late 1700s to reduce its scale and height.
ebony, marquetry in metal and tortoise shell
Overall: 101.3 x 117.6 x 50 cm (39 7/8 x 46 5/16 x 19 11/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund
In the golden age of France, the year was 1672, a time when opulence dripped from every corner of the royal court, and artistry breathed life into the very walls of palaces. It was then that a man named André-Charles Boulle stepped into the realm of nobility as the appointed cabinetmaker to none other than King Louis XIV. Picture the grand workshop filled with the fragrant scent of polished wood, glimmering metal, and the rhythmic sound of tools sculpting ideas into reality.
Boulle, a master of his craft, left a vibrant imprint on the world of furniture making, as if he were painting the air itself. His genius lay in the delicate art of marquetry, where swirling patterns of metal found their home nestled between sheets of rich tortoiseshell. Each piece of furniture he crafted wasn’t merely a functional object but a story etched into wood, merging luxury with artistry that resonated with the hearts of those who beheld it.
As time passed, his reputation soared, echoing through the lavish halls of the royal court and beyond. Aristocrats and diplomats alike clamored for a piece of his divine creation, eager to forge their identity through the ownership of his works—a connection to the very essence of power that Louis XIV represented.
Imagine a magnificent chest adorned with glimmering bronze, which held a medallion depicting the king himself. To own such a piece was to carry within it the weight of status, a silent homage to the opulence of the court. Each curve and straight line, each elegant group of inlaid motifs told a tale—like the vibrant parrot perched on the central panel, a reminder of exotic lands and aspirations that soared beyond the ordinary.
Boulle’s pieces often bore stout architectural proportions, embodying both strength and grace, marrying contrasting ideas, materials, and motifs into a harmonious dance. They were not just furniture; they were conversations in wood and metal, bringing to life the intellect and imagination of a bygone era.
Through the lens of Boulle's craftsmanship, we see not only the luxurious past of France but also the timeless spirit of creativity and harmonizing contrasts—the very essence of artistry that resonates even today.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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