Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-24
LOUIS XVI. STYLE

The term "Louis XVI" is often rather
loosely applied 10 kind OF interior
decoration, and especially to furniture.
with little regard for the historical ac-
ouiac" OF the statement As n matter
OF tact the style known as Louis
MI" was we'll established in France
before that monarch assembled the
throne. Late In the reign OF Louis XIV
the artistic sense OF the French began
to revolt against the extravagant and
flamboyant decorations which had been
popular for many years. At its best.
the Louis Nv. period was by no means
!ntolerable, but under the stimulus OF
competition the most radical artists
forced themselves to the front. and
French taste finally rcbclled. Sensu-
Gus curves and rocco ornaments, gaudy
coloring, and the eXtravagant appli-
cation of gold TO furniture and walls
proved too much. and the reaction was
sudden and extreme.
Throughout the rocco period the old
school of academic traditions had main
talned Il following Of serious artists.
and II was TO them that the public
turned They met its demands with
the style now called Louis XVI"
First they returned TO the simplicity
and restfulness Of the straight line:
second, they gave To construction the
first consideration, and purgcd and
purified ornament Of all excess. Otna-
mcnt for the sake Of ornament was no
ture became straight, taperinG and
graceful. sometimes ornamentcd by
carving, nearly always nutcd IrrcEu-
lar panels with frolickinG Cupids and
rocs gariands gave way to rectangular
areas ornamcntcd with classic en-
blcms and formed by simple holdings
Simple Greek ornaments came back to
their own. The laurel and the oak
leaf. the Greek band, the nutcd col
umn' the vase holding pine cone. oval
and round mcdallions surmounted with
wreat this and hoWknots hcllflowers
interlacinS stripes with flowers and
ribbons and rustic symbols In silks and
brocadcs for NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. are
some of the most familiar details Of
the decoration of this period. according
TO a writer in the Philadelphia Public
Ledger.
When Louis NNI came to the throne
he found this style already established
but he had II within his power to dis
courage or encourage IT. and to the
relief of the artists of the time. he en-
couraged it. In this he was ably sec
onded by his bride. Marie Antoinette.
whom he married when she was ONLY
fifteen. and who was sick of the pomp
and ceremony Of courts and joined her
husband In his preference for simplicity
and sincerity. Thus this reign was in
marked contrast to that Of the pre-
ceding one, in which Madame du Barry
had figured so prominently, and the
contrast is reflected in the style OF dec
Grafton. The furniture of the court
was upholstered in tapestries depicting
episodes In the lives of shepherds Gar
den roses and rustic implements were
also used freely In decorative design
and the general effect was that of a
wholesome reversion TO nature with
the revolution, however. the manufac-
ture of furniture of unique design
ceased almost entirely, and with the
rise of Napoleon came desire for his
torical and military motifs in decora-
ton. Of this last period, the world
knows little and cares less. 1t la the
style of Louis XVI. that has survived
and been initiated. and even though
the style was not. strictly speaking,
born in the reign OF Louis XVI, il
achieved distinction under him and his
patronage. and ii is fitting that it
should bear his name.