From the exhibition
Two Designs for Chairs
Jean-Charles Delafosse, French, 1734 – 1789 · 1862

Jean-Charles Delafosse's paired furniture designs demonstrate the Rococo style at its height. The left chair, shown from the front, features an ornate carved frame with scrolled arms and cabriole legs, its back and seat upholstered in patterned fabric. The right elevation presents the rear view, revealing the chair's sculpted splat and curving silhouette. These engraved technical drawings exemplify 18th-century design documentation, where multiple perspectives allowed craftsmen to execute furniture with precision. Delafosse's architectural training informed his furniture vocabulary—symmetrical decoration, flowing lines, and sculptural ornament characterize his work. Such pattern books circulated among European makers, establishing visual standards for the luxury trades.
Public domain, restored and presented by comicbooks.com CC0