ANGLAIS_DESIGN_18E_BAT.qxp_Mise enpage127/10/201415:08Page1 18 it fdesign of birth 1650 to1790 masterpieces to 22February2015 From 28October2014

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18th century, birth of design

Immerse yourself in the world of 18th century furniture design : an exhibition full of surprises, variety and ingenious inventions. Open your eyes to this bygone design era... and complete this game booklet!

This exhibition will display masterpieces of furniture made between 1650 to 1790, during the reign of Louis XIV to the reign of Louis XVI, up to the time of the . However, the commodes, tables and armchairs that you are about to discover are very special: they are unique furniture pieces, intended for 1 the royal family or the aristocracy, and were designed by unknown but extraordinary artists. These ingenious From the furniture craftsmen invented new lines, used new techniques pieces shown above, and together contributed to transforming furniture des- find the furniture piece that isn't part ign, in their quest to design furniture pieces best sui- of a pair! ted to their purpose. The exhibition gives visitors an insight into this wonderful design metamorphosis.

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With the help of the letters shown in the grid, insert the furniture names listed below. C Some of these furniture pieces are less popular today, or ARMOIRE CABINET E the names have been changed. CHIFFONNIER For example, a ployant is what COMMODE we would refer to today as CONSOLE TABLE a folding chair, a coquillier COQUILLIER was used for storing a collection PLOYANT SECRETARY DESK of shells and, lastly, WRITING DESK a chiffonnier was a small piece of furniture with drawers, which is taller than it is wide. C We hope you have lots of fun learning about these pieces during the exhibition.

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Lines and curves Between 1650 and 1790, for one hundred and forty years, cabinetmaker artists put their skills and imagination to the test through the design and creation of their furniture pieces. As time went on, tastes changed: moving from a somewhat rigid style (like this beautiful ebony cabinet from the reign of Louis XIV, shown above) to the playful curves of pieces from the Louis XV period. The style later returned to straight lines during the reign of Louis XVI. Observing all of these changes is like taking a journey through time!

Match the decorative patterns (the embellish- 3 ments) to each of the three furniture pieces shown on this page.

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Zoom in on this armchair, emblematic of the Louis XV period. The previous armchairs, during the reign of Louis XIV, were more linear, more rigid and the armrests were arranged directly in line with the front legs. They evoke the strict etiquette of the ! However, during the time of Louis XV, there was an increasing desire for comfort, leading to the design of chairs with lower seats, steeply inclined back- rests and more functio- nal armrests... overall, this period marked the arrival of designs featu- ring soft curved lines.

4 How is the Louis XVI style characteri- sed ? Under the reign of Louis XVI, Does this table there was a backlash against the remind you of... excesses of curvy styles resulting in m matchsticks ? a return to straighter lines... But with m the refinements! Look at the legs of this of Greek temple ? table carefully: they are typical of the m spears ? Louis XVI style, as they are straight, slightly tapered and grooved.

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Colours and materials

When you look at some of the furniture pieces more carefully, you will be amazed by the amount of details: pieces featuring detailed decorations in lacquer imported from Asia and others with extraordinary wood marquetry. Marquetry is the art of forming patterns out of inlaid pieces of wood (or other materials), in order to create a decorative tableau. To enhance the decorative aspect, the artists also used straw, mother of pearl and marble etc. All of these details added to the majestic beauty of the commodes, tables and desks and to the diversity of colours. In addition, rich fabrics were used to adorn the armchairs and sofas.

Out of these four brightly coloured commodes, only one version really exists, which is on display 5 at the exhibition. Which one is it? Identify the correct version and circle it.

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STRAW 6 PORCELAIN MOTHER During the visit, you OF PEARL will be able to view furniture pieces with STEEL WOOD splendid decorations. The artists designed them using a large variety of materials, FABRIC some of which are BRASS surprising. Look care- LAQUER fully at the furniture pieces in the exhibi- tion and match each image to the corres- STONE ponding label. –7– ANGLAIS_DESIGN_18E_BAT.qxp_Mise en page 1 27/10/2014 15:22 Page8

Three artists

Out of all the great woodworkers, the exhibition places emphasis on the following three: André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732), Charles Cressent (1685-1768) and Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806).

BOULLE was a great artist with many talents. We owe him the invention of the commode (previously, clothes were stored in chests) and the use of bronze for ornamentation. He also revolutionised the art of marquetry, by inventing a new process of cutting out the same pattern from two panels of contrasting materials placed on top of each other to obtain the "part" and the "counterpart". At the end of the exhibition, you can view the work of students from the Ecole Boulle, who have inherited the cabinetmaker's know-how.

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Look carefully at this exceptional commode designed by Boulle, with its eight bronze decorated legs, its angles and its four (fabulous creatures with a woman’s bust, a lion's body and bird wings). Find the shadow that matches.

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Inspired by Boulle, CRESSENT is famous for his flat writing desks, his angled armoires, his marquetry inlaid with geometric patterns...and this furniture 06). piece that you can see here. e 8 ".

What do you think it is used for ? m Storing medallions m Storing kites m Smoothing out ties and jabots

RIESENER is the author of the famous Find this furniture piece in the King's desk (see next page). Here you can exhibition and fill in the patterns see the straight lines of this commode and 9 that you see on the compartments its remarkable façade with compartments. or have fun creating new ones!

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The king’s desk M This extraordinary piece of furniture is full of mystery! Crafted by the cabinet- maker Oeben and completed by his successor, Riesener, this desk was designed and created for King Louis XV, and Louis XVI later used it. Observe the wonder- ful bronzes and marquetry decorating the desk. They represent Gods from Greek mythology such as Apollo, and symbols of poetry, science and war - everything that a King should know about! What you can't see with your eye is that the desk incorporates ingenious mechanisms, as well as an inset clock. Along the sides, separate drawers contained inkwells that could be refilled without opening the desk. Its contents therefore remained hidden away. And, once the desk was opened, the king had quick access to the secret drawers where he was able to hide all of the documents that needed to be kept away from prying eyes.

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Keys and locks were one of Louis XVI's passions. Just one of key, the king's key, could open his desk. Circle the correct key! Then, by carefully observing this furniture piece, guess where the lock is located: mark the location with a small cross.

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Marie-Antoinette’s Jewellery case

This furniture piece, commissioned by Queen Marie-Antoinette in 1787 (two years before the Revolution!), was used for storing her diamonds, rubies and other pearls. It is a reflection of the precious jewels that it contains: exceptionally ornate and decorative.

Do you see all of these bronze sculptures? The me- m The cardinal points 11 dallion in the centre evokes the arts, the group of m The elements figures on the top represents strength, wisdom and (air, earth, water, fire) abundance... What do you think the four beautiful m The seasons women in front of you symbolise (one is holding a bunch of flowers, another ears of grain, etc.)?

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Design your own furniture piece with legs

Many of the furniture pieces in the exhibition have strange A Grand prize-winner legs: if you look closely, will be chosen and will receive COMPETITION as a reward a replica of their piece you will find legs in the shape of furniture based on of lions, dogs, cheetahs and a 3D printout antelopes. In the style of a cabinetmaker from the 18th of their design. century, design your own piece of 15 other children will also be chosen furniture with legs...representing the animal as winners and will receive a €20 gift voucher for the on-line of your choice! Elephant legs, stork legs, spider Palace of Versailles shop. legs or cat legs... Choose whatever inspires you the most, and draw it on a blank sheet of paper!

To participate, send the completed coupon below with your design to: Château de Versailles - Direction de la communication – Service Partenariats - RP834 - 78008 Versailles Cedex.

We are undersigned, Name of legal guardians*: ...... E-mail** : ...... Address* : ...... Post/ZIP code* : ...... Town* : ...... Tel. :...... Authorise our child to participate in this competition: Surname* (of the child) : ...... First name* (of the child) : ...... Age of the child* : ...... Boy* Girl*

r I would like to receive information by e-mail relating to the Palace of Versailles.

*Mandatory fields. Competition organised by the Palace of Versailles and Paris Mômes, running from 28 October 2014 to 22 February 2015 inclusive. Open to all participants aged 5 to 13 in possession of a game booklet. Payment sent free of charge on written request sent to the aforementioned address. The data collected shall be processed solely by the organiser. **In accordance with the amended law on Information Technology and Freedoms (Loi Informatique et Libertés) of 6 January 1978, participants have the right to access, request further information, change or, if applicable, challenge any data concerning them. They may challenge at any time the disclosure of such data to third parties. All requests to access, change or challenge personal data should be sent to the aforementioned address.

Find the answers to the game on parismomes.fr, under the "Events" heading. Booklet design www.parismomes.fr. Design: Orianne Charpentier and Elodie Coulon. Editing : Orianne Charpentier. Graphic Design : Elodie Coulon. Photo credits. ©Adkeys /©Museum of Decorative Arts - Jean Tholance /©RMN-Grand Palais (Palace of Versailles) Christophe Fouin/ ©The Museum, Dist RMN-GP Thierry Ollivier / ©The Louvre Museum Dist RMN-GP Studio Sébert / ©RMN - GP (The Louvre Museum) All rights reserved / ©RMN-Grand Palais (Palace of Versailles) All rights reserved / ©Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation- Catarina Gomes Ferreira /©RMN-GP () Gérard Blot / ©The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco / © Archives Gismondi / © Daniel Dehenny.