DIRECTOIRE, FRENCH EMPIRE

DIRECTOIRE, FRENCH EMPIRE

1. DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS

   • Directoire 1789-1799
     • Louis XVI
     • Ancient Greece/Rome
     • Formal, heavier scale
     • Egyptian/Roman motifs appear
     • lozenges, rosettes, spirals, oak leaf, clasped hands
   • Motifs
     • leaf, swag, rinceau, rosette
     • scroll, arabesque, lyre
   • Empire 1804-1815
     • Egypt/Rome
     • Pompous, formal, masculine.
     • Reveals more change than architecture
   • Consulate
     • Rich reds/blues/greens

2. ARCHITECTURE

   • Arc de Triomphe
   • La Madeleine
     • pediment, corinthian columns
   • Rue de Rivoli

3. INTERIORS

   • wall decorations
   • simplicity, muted colors,delicate decoration

4. LIGHTING

   • Candelabra
   • applique
   • cristeaux

5. FURNISHINGS

   • Sofas & sets of chairs
   • round tables w/ basins
   • rolled-over back, saber legged chairs
     • winged sphinx, tassels, swans
   • applied ornamentation
   • large flat surfaces
   • Beds: fluted columns, geometric carving in low relief
   • Brocades, damasks, velvets, printed cottons