French Empire Style
Prior to becoming Emperor of France, General Bonaparte took 150 scholars to document Egyptian contemporary and ancient culture, during one of his military campaigns.
Institute of Egypt - established 1798
o style named after French Emperor/Napoleon coincided with the style
o symbols of power similar to Roman generals, prior to him
o draping of fabric
o drew inspiration from ancient Egypt, Rome
Empress Joséphine Bonaparte de Beauharnais retained symbols that were more feminine. She adopted the swan as her symbol. It appeared on furniture, decorative objects...everywhere.
Empress Joséphine Bonaparte de Beauharnais, bought an estate while he was away in Egypt. Château de Malmaison—which is located nine miles west of central Paris—was a grand but derelict old property, and when the future ruler returned, the couple decided it needed extensive renovations. They hired Charles Percier and Pierre François Léonard Fontaine, young architects and decorators who would famously go on to help create the design style called Empire.
The architect, decorator and landscape designer Louis-Martin Berthault was brought on in 1805 to make further renovations. He hung Joséphine's formal bedroom with a fabric that gave it a circular, tent-like shape. Fabric is draped between posts that give the appearance that they are supporting a tent. A painted sky scene, domed ceiling, and portable writing desk add to the illusion.
Modern Connection - Furniture Design
Monique Lhuillier Silver Cornice Canopy
$289 this item This item is not eligible for buy online, pickup in-store
https://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/monique-lhuillier-gold-cornice-canopy/
Modern Connection - Architecture
Modern Connection - Light Design
Although the oculus in the Panthenon would be constructed in 2nd centry AD...and ceiling paintings of the sky were rendered in frescoes during the Renaissance, world reknown Light Design Artist James Turrell created this Skyspace in 2008. It is a naked-eye observatory, where visitors view the sky though an opening in the ceiling called an oculus. Instead of creating the illusion of the painted sky, James Turrell shows the viewer a glimpse of the real thing.
https://landmarks.utexas.edu/artwork/color-inside
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