History of Furniture and Ornamentation, Part 2: French Empire to Postmodernism

About this course:

Throughout history, furniture makers and decorative artists have often been relegated to a lesser status behind painters and sculptors, but furniture and decorative objects are important works of art in and of themselves. These imaginative artists used meticulous methods and sumptuous materials to create beauty and opulence in their creations. In this course, we trace the growth of the furniture trade in Europe, America, and other cultures from the early 19th century through the end of the 20th century, focusing on the detailed methods of marquetry, gilding, lacquering, upholstery, mechanization, and other construction techniques. The lives of the artists and their patrons are also discussed in the context of the era in which they lived. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.