bavarikon4UDescription
Today, Leo von Klenze (1784-1864) is mainly famous for his classicist buildings. Many of these were commissioned by the Bavarian King Louis I (1786-1868) for his urban development projects in Munich, e.g. the Glyptothek and the Ruhmeshalle (Hall of Fame). As many other architects of earlier centuries, Klenze was, however, also extremely active as an interior architect and as a "designer". The furnishings of the salon of Queen Therese (1792-1854) to which this armchair belonged, are preserved by two of Klenze's sketches extant in the Staatliche Graphische Sammlung in Munich. One of the two sheets documents the design of the seating furniture. The complete set consists of a sofa, six armchairs and 20 chairs. The wooden furniture with cast pewter appliqués is gilded. The horsehair cushions are covered by a (meanwhile replaced) red silk damask. The furniture is decorated with ornaments reminiscent of ancient forms. The sofa has armrests in the shape of swans. Swans were very popular as decorative motifs during this period, especially in the ladies' rooms, since they symbolised lifelong loyalty. Klenze had also planned swans as the motif for the backrests of the chairs and armchairs. In the execution, however, the swan was reduced to a stretched-out pair of wings. Designed and executed by a large number of highly specialised artisans, this armchair represents the outstanding achievements of the art of furniture in Munich during the first half of the nineteenth century.
Author
Cordula Mauß